Goa nightclub fire: From Hudson Lane to Phuket — the meteoric rise and sudden flight of Luthra brothers

Goa nightclub fire

In the early hours of December 7, a devastating fire tore through the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Goa’s Arpora, claiming 25 lives. Within hours, as authorities scrambled at the smouldering wreckage, the club’s owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, were on a flight from Mumbai to Phuket, Thailand, according to a statement from the Goa Police.

The police confirmed that a lookout circular was issued against the brothers by the evening of December 7 and that the Bureau of Immigration had traced their departure to the 5.30 am flight.

The force has now reached out to the Interpol Division of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to apprehend them. Sources indicate the CBI is likely to request a Blue Corner Notice to gather information on their identity and location.

Their sudden international departure marks a stark contrast to the narrative of homegrown entrepreneurial success they had cultivated. The Luthra brothers, as reported by The Indian Express, began their hospitality empire a decade ago from Delhi’s bustling Hudson Lane, near the University of Delhi. Starting with a cafe-cum-lounge, ‘Mama’s Buoi’ and a bar named ‘Dramebaaz’, their breakthrough came with the ‘Romeo Lane’ brand.

From that single outlet, they embarked on an aggressive national expansion. Their portfolio, which grew to include brands like Birch, Caha and Mama’s Buoi, stretched to premier restrobars and rooftop restaurants in over 30 cities including Delhi-NCR, Bhopal, Lucknow and Dehradun and even extended to Dubai and a boutique hotel in Goa.

Saurabh Luthra, a computer science engineer turned businessman, was frequently featured in media lists of top ’40 under 40′ entrepreneurs, described on his company’s website as a “gold medalist” and the “fastest-growing restaurateur.”

This sprawling commercial footprint is now under intense scrutiny. In connection with the fatal fire, police have lodged a First Information Report (FIR) invoking charges of culpable homicide against the Luthra brothers, the club manager and the event organiser. The FIR, as per official information, flags critical lapses including the absence of fire safety equipment, a missing emergency exit and a lack of required permissions.

The investigation has expanded rapidly. Four club staff members were arrested on Sunday, followed by a fifth, Bharat Singh, who handled daily operations, from Delhi on Monday. The Delhi Police Crime Branch, assisting Goa Police, is also searching for a suspected co-owner of the Goa nightclub believed to be in the capital.

Authorities are examining the entire chain of permissions. The office of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the local panchayat in Arpora had issued a trade licence and other NoCs to Birch, but the premises continued to operate after the licence expired in March 2024. While the panchayat is empowered to seal such premises, it failed to do so, the statement noted. All other ‘Romeo Lane’ establishments in Goa have now been sealed by revenue authorities for document scrutiny.

In response to the tragedy, the Goa State Disaster Management Authority has issued a directive to all nightclubs, restaurants and event venues across the state to conduct an internal safety audit within seven days and ensure strict compliance with all safety norms.

Concurrently, a four-member magisterial inquiry committee, headed by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, has been constituted to verify statutory licences, determine lapses, fix accountability and recommend corrective measures within a week. The Goa Police confirmed that government officials involved in issuing permits to the club have been called for investigation.

While the legal and administrative machinery grinds into action, the brothers remain overseas. Saurabh Luthra, in a statement posted on Instagram on Monday, expressed being “deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives” and offered “unwavering solidarity” with the families, affirming that the management would extend “every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation.”