Goa Nightclub Fire: First Pic Of Owner Gaurav Luthra In Thailand

Phuket, Thailand – Days after a devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, claimed the lives of 25 people, a photograph has emerged purportedly showing one of the club's owners, Gaurav Luthra, in Thailand. The image, which is currently circulating on social media, has yet to be independently verified but appears to match previous photographs of Luthra.

The emergence of this potential sighting follows reports that Luthra and his brother, Saurabh Luthra, fled India for Phuket, Thailand, hours after the deadly blaze. Immigration records indicate that the brothers boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, just hours after the fire broke out around midnight.

The Goa Police have confirmed that they are seeking the assistance of Interpol to locate and apprehend the Luthra brothers. A Look Out Circular was also issued against both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police. Authorities believe their swift departure indicates an attempt to evade the ongoing police investigation. The Times of India reported that Goa police have issued a blue corner notice against the Luthra brothers.

The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular party venue in Arpora, North Goa, occurred late Saturday night. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was likely triggered by burst firecrackers during a "Bollywood Banger Night" event. The flames quickly engulfed the building, trapping many inside, particularly in the basement area.

The incident resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists. Many of the victims died due to suffocation, as they were trapped in the basement with no fire safety exit. Approximately 50 others were injured and are receiving treatment at Goa Medical College (GMC) hospital in Bambolim.

The nightclub had previously faced scrutiny over alleged illegal construction on a salt pan and had received demolition notices, which were stayed after an appeal. Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original landowner, stated he had been fighting a legal battle for 20 years regarding illegalities at the nightclub. According to officials, the venue had contravened multiple safety regulations, including hosting a live music show that had pyrotechnics at the time the blaze broke out.

In the wake of the tragedy, Saurabh Luthra posted a statement on social media expressing "profound grief" and offering assistance to the victims' families. However, this statement was made after he and his brother had already left the country.

Meanwhile, authorities have arrested several individuals in connection with the incident, including key operational staff. Rajiv Modak, Vivek Singh, Rajveer Singhania, Priyanshu Thakur, and Bharat Kohli have been taken into custody. The other clubs owned by Romeo Lane were also closed after fire safety violations were found.

The Goa government has formed a four-member panel to investigate the nightclub fire. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of the negligence that led to this devastating event.