The co‑owners of the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, have been detained in Phuket, Thailand, and are now under detention as India begins deportation proceedings.
Officials said the brothers booked flights to Thailand early on December 7, even as rescue teams were still battling the fire that erupted late on December 6, claiming 25 lives. Their Indian passports have been revoked, and an international alert has been issued to prevent them from traveling further.
A Delhi court declined to grant them interim protection from arrest. The brothers’ lawyers argued that the trip was pre-planned and that they were not directly managing day-to-day operations at the club. Meanwhile, several other managers and staff of the nightclub have been arrested as part of the investigation into negligence and safety violations.
Investigators have said the fire was triggered by indoor fireworks, described as “electric firecrackers,” used during an event at the club. This revelation has prompted strict safety measures across the region.
In response, the administration of North Goa has banned the use of fireworks, sparklers, pyrotechnics, flame-throwers, smoke generators, and other fire or smoke-producing equipment at all nightclubs, hotels, resorts, and tourist establishments. Authorities have warned that licenses of venues flouting safety norms will be cancelled.
Safety audits of clubs, hotels, and other tourist venues across Goa have begun, with officials emphasizing strict enforcement ahead of the peak tourist season. The government has also stressed that fire safety compliance is mandatory to prevent tragedies like the Birch nightclub fire from happening again.
This incident and the swift administrative measures signal a renewed focus on ensuring public safety in Goa’s nightlife and tourist establishments.
