The probe into the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire has intensified, with an FIR accessed confirming that the club conducted a dangerous fire show without any fire-safety equipment or a mandatory fire audit.
The document lists serious lapses and names the prime accused — brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra — who allegedly operated the Arpora club despite multiple violations and fled to Thailand hours after the blaze that killed 25 people.
On Tuesday, the Goa Tourism Department demolished Romeo Lane, an illegally built beach shack in Vagator owned by the Luthras, as the police widened the investigation and arrested more staff members.
Key Developments
Fire Show Held with Zero Safety Measures
The FIR states that the nightclub ran a fire act without basic firefighting tools — no extinguishers, sprinklers, alarms or smoke-extraction systems. It also confirms that no fire audit was conducted before operations began.
Passport Cancellation Request for Accused
Goa Police have written to the Regional Passport Office seeking immediate cancellation of the Luthra brothers’ passports to restrict their movement.
Interpol Blue Corner Notice Issued
A Blue Corner Notice was issued against both accused within two days of the incident — an unusually swift development highlighting coordination between Goa Police and central agencies.
Illegal Shack Demolished
Authorities demolished the Romeo Lane beach shack in Vagator for being illegally built on government land. The 198 sq. m wooden structure was razed in under two hours following orders from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Look Out Circular for Co-owners
LOCs have been issued for co-owners Ajay Gupta of Gurugram and British national Surinder Kumar Khosla, barring them from leaving India.
Five Staffers Arrested
Five senior staff members — Corporate GM Rajiv Modak, GM Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur and another staffer — have been arrested.
Another suspect, Bharat Kohli, was detained in Delhi and brought to Goa. All accused have been remanded to six days’ police custody.
Forensic Report Confirms Toxic Gas as Main Cause of Death
Of the 25 victims, 19 died due to inhalation of toxic fumes. Two victims suffered burns along with gas inhalation. Identification of four Nepali nationals is pending.
The dead include 20 club employees, four tourists from Delhi and one from Karnataka.
Probe Widens to Government Officials
Former Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar and ex-Goa Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro have been summoned. Police have also questioned the Arpora-Nagao Sarpanch and seized relevant land records.
Joint Enforcement Team Formed
The state has formed a multi-agency committee to conduct routine night-time inspections at clubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, shacks and event venues to check fire-safety compliance, electrical safety, structural stability and crowd management.
Panel to Draft New SOPs
A high-level committee headed by IAS officer Sandip Jacques has been tasked with updating safety rules and licensing norms for nightlife and tourism establishments, with a report expected in one month.
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