In a firm response to the tragic nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, Goa authorities have initiated a severe crackdown on structures linked to the accused owners. Days after the devastating blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane club in Arpora/Vagator, the state government proceeded with the demolition of an associated, allegedly illegal structure—the Romeo Lane restaurant/shack in Vagator.
Officials confirmed that the demolition targeted a structure repeatedly rebuilt without authorisation following prior demolition notices, underscoring the government’s intensified drive against unauthorised and non-compliant establishments in coastal zones.
Investigation Confirms Fireworks as Fire Cause, Owners Flee
The tragedy, which occurred late on Saturday, December 6, 2025, has been confirmed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and investigators to have been sparked by negligence.
- Confirmed Cause: The fire was ignited by indoor pyrotechnics (cold pyro guns) used during a dance performance. Sparks struck the club’s highly combustible ceiling materials, which included bamboo, fiber sheets, and palm leaves.
- Safety Violations: The high casualty count—20 staff members and 5 tourists, mostly due to suffocation in the overcrowded basement—was primarily attributed to massive safety lapses. These included highly flammable interiors, inadequate ventilation, and only one functioning exit, which transformed the space into a death trap. Initial claims of a gas cylinder explosion were officially ruled out.
Interpol Blue Notice Issued for Absconding Brothers
The focus of the investigation has now shifted to locating the two principal owners of the “Romeo Lane” brand, brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.
- Fleeing the Country: The Luthra brothers reportedly fled India to Phuket, Thailand, within hours of the tragedy, shortly after an FIR was registered.
- Global Alert: In a swift move, authorities, coordinating with central agencies, secured an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against the brothers. This notice serves as a global alert to locate and identify a person of interest in a criminal investigation. A process is underway to secure their return to India.
Detained Partner Claims ‘Sleeping Role’ Amidst Franchise Scrutiny
Meanwhile, an owner-partner of the specific entity (GS Hospitality Arpora LLP) that ran the Goa club, Ajay Gupta, has been detained in Delhi following a Look Out Circular (LOC).
- Detention and Claim: Upon detention, Ajay Gupta, who is confirmed to hold a share in the club’s ownership, claimed he was only a “sleeping partner” with a 10% stake. He asserted he was “unaware of the lapses” or the club’s operational safety violations, placing the blame squarely on the Luthra brothers.
- The Franchise Model: This structure is part of the larger business model employed by the Luthra brothers’ company (GS Foods Studio Pvt Ltd), which is known for rapidly expanding the “Romeo Lane” brand across multiple cities, often through franchise partnerships that involve co-owners or investors like Gupta in the specific local entity.
- Wider Net: The authorities have also issued an LOC for the fourth co-owner, British citizen Surinder Kumar Khosla, as the investigation continues to scrutinize the full partnership structure and the financial dealings of the company behind the rapid expansion of the ‘Romeo Lane’ brand.
The ongoing investigation by the Goa Police and associated agencies is aimed at holding all individuals responsible for the tragedy accountable, both for the fatal safety breaches and for their subsequent attempts to evade the law.
