Luthra brothers’ new game revealed in Goa, 10 updates on night club fire incident

The massive fire incident in the famous nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ located in Arpora area of ​​Goa has shocked the entire country. 25 people died tragically in this accident, which included 20 club employees and 5 tourists. This fire has also raised serious questions on the state’s administrative system, licensing process and the alleged protection given to influential businessmen.

Within hours of the fire, club owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra had fled the country to Thailand. Now he is in custody there and the process of bringing him to India has been expedited. In this matter, not only the club owners, but also the role of administrative officials, Panchayat and various departments is under intense scrutiny. Investigation has revealed that there were serious irregularities in the operation of the club at fire safety, construction permission, environment and panchayat level. Police claim that Luthra Brothers used a fake land deal to get permission.

Let us know the 10 latest updates of this matter…

1. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused in the Goa nightclub fire incident, were detained by local authorities in Phuket, Thailand. Later, both of them were shifted from Phuket to Bangkok, from where the process of deporting them to India is going on.
2. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok is in constant touch with Thai authorities. According to Goa Police, efforts are being made to bring Luthra Brothers to India as soon as possible by coordinating with central agencies. Goa Police hopes to get the custody of both the brothers by the beginning of next week.
3. The investigation into the fire has revealed that after the fire broke out around 11:45 pm on 6-7 December, the Luthra Brothers booked tickets to Thailand at 1:17 pm and took a flight from Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 am. This is clearly being considered an attempt to avoid arrest.
4. Goa Police claims that a fake land agreement was used to get permission to open the club. Preliminary investigation has revealed that fake documents regarding ownership of the land were submitted. Police have said that after getting custody, Luthra Brothers will be directly interrogated on this revelation.
5. Goa Police has registered a case against Luthra Brothers and other accused under several serious sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). These include culpable homicide (Section 105), acts endangering life (Section 125), and negligence related to fire (Section 287).
6. Six people have been arrested so far in this case. These include the club’s general manager, bar manager, gate manager, an employee and co-owner Ajay Gupta. Police said that till now the statements of more than 50 witnesses have been recorded and the investigation is progressing continuously.
7. According to the technical investigation report, an electric pyrogun was used during a belly dance show in the club, due to which the fire broke out. Thatched roof, liquor storage, inadequate vents made this incident worse within minutes. The surprising thing is that the club did not have a valid NOC from the fire department.
8. Documents have revealed that the club’s trade license had expired in March 2024, yet it was operating smoothly. Under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, the Panchayat had the right to seal the club, but the local Panchayat did not take any action.
9. The Goa government has so far suspended three senior officials, including the Panchayat Director, the Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board and the Panchayat Secretary. Apart from this, a magisterial inquiry is underway under the chairmanship of the Collector of North Goa, in which all the licenses and permissions are being examined.
10. Documents show that permissions were given from at least seven different departments to run the club, including trade, excise, food safety, pollution control and NOC from the panchayat. Investigating agencies say that as the investigation deepens, more departmental negligence may come to light, especially regarding construction on eco-sensitive and agricultural lands.

The Arpora Nightclub fire is no longer just an accident but has become a symbol of administrative negligence, protection given to influential businessmen and blatant disregard for rules. With the soon return of Luthra Brothers to India, it is expected that accountability will be fixed in this case. But the real question is, will the system improve after this tragedy, or will even the 25 deaths remain just a file?