Panaji, Goa – Goa woke up to grief and fury on Sunday after a catastrophic blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora claimed 25 lives, exposing deep cracks in the state’s nightlife safety regime. Within hours of the tragedy, another shock rippled through the state: the club’s owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, had quietly fled to Thailand, triggering an international manhunt and intensifying public outrage.
The fire broke out around midnight on Saturday at the bustling riverside venue, located near the backwaters of the Arpora River and known for its high-energy weekend crowd. What began as a typical night of music and revelry rapidly turned into a scene of horror as the club’s wooden interiors were swallowed by flames.
Survivors described frantic scenes of panic and confusion. “It felt like everything collapsed at once,” said Priya Sharma, a 28-year-old visitor from Mumbai, still shaken by the ordeal. “The bridge leading out was clogged with people, and the exit doors were too small. Everyone was screaming… by the time help came, so much damage was already done.”
Multiple Safety Violations Under Scrutiny
Early investigations have highlighted a disturbing list of safety lapses: insufficient fire exits, faulty electrical wiring, overcrowding, and an ill-planned layout built precariously on a narrow access bridge that severely restricted evacuation. Fire officials believe the blaze started in the kitchen area and spread rapidly through the club’s wooden framework, leaving little room for escape.
The victims included mostly local staff members—among them four Nepalese migrant workers—as well as five tourists from Delhi. Many bodies were recovered from cramped corners of the club where escape routes simply did not exist.
Owners Escape on Early-Morning Flight
Adding to the sense of betrayal, Goa Police confirmed that the Luthra brothers, both prominent businessmen from Delhi, boarded IndiGo flight 6E-1073 to Phuket at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday—just hours after the disaster. They slipped through immigration unnoticed, leaving authorities scrambling.
“This is a blatant attempt to evade responsibility,” said Goa DGP Alok Kumar, expressing frustration at how swiftly the duo managed to leave Indian soil. A Look Out Circular has now been issued, and Goa Police are collaborating with Interpol to secure a Red Notice under the India-Thailand extradition treaty.
Their departure also raised questions about IndiGo’s operational choices. The airline has faced heavy criticism nationwide for a week-long crisis that left thousands stranded due to mass cancellations, yet it moved the fleeing owners without delay. Activist Ravi Patel, leading protests outside Dabolim Airport, questioned the airline’s priorities: “How is it that stranded families wait for days while two men linked to 25 deaths get seamless passage?”
Tone-Deaf Online Statement Draws Anger
A social media post circulated from an account linked to Saurabh Luthra expressed “profound sorrow” and “solidarity with the families.” For many, this only deepened the anger.
“Sympathy from someone who ran away means nothing,” said the brother of one deceased staff member, calling the statement a disingenuous attempt at damage control.
Police Net Widens as Probe Deepens
While the prime accused remain at large, authorities have arrested Bharat Kohli, the nightclub’s operations manager, from Delhi. Police teams are also searching for event organizer Ajay Gupta, believed to have overseen Saturday’s overcrowded gathering. Investigators are now examining how the club secured permissions despite glaring structural shortcomings.
Suspended fisheries director Shamila Monteiro, responsible for certain licensing procedures, is under scrutiny for possible regulatory missteps. Her suspension has prompted broader questions about how Goa’s nightlife establishments are vetted and monitored.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced a four-member magisterial inquiry committee tasked with submitting a report within 30 days. Simultaneously, the government has ordered immediate fire safety compliance checks across all clubs, bars, and entertainment venues. “Goa’s appeal lies in its freedom and vibrancy. But these cannot come at the cost of human life,” Sawant said.
A State in Mourning and a Crisis of Confidence
Families of the victims are grappling with grief, with several bodies flown to Delhi for last rites. As the state mourns, larger questions overshadow the immediate tragedy: Why do safety violations persist in Goa’s nightlife hotspots? How did the owners manage to flee so quickly? And will Thailand turn from refuge to trap as the manhunt tightens?
For now, the tranquil beaches and festive streets of Goa stand in stark contrast to the anguish that has engulfed the state. The Birch nightclub blaze has become a grim symbol—of negligence, of escape, and of a painful reckoning that Goa’s nightlife ecosystem can no longer postpone.
