A tragic fire at the popular “Birch by Romeo Lane” nightclub in Goa has led to startling revelations during the police investigation. While firefighters were battling the flames and rescuing those trapped inside, the club’s owners—Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra—were allegedly preparing to leave the country. According to the Goa Police, the two brothers booked flight tickets to Thailand within minutes of the deadly incident, which claimed the lives of 25 people.
Flight Tickets Booked Minutes After the Fire Broke Out
On Wednesday, the Goa Police released a detailed timeline of the events, revealing that the Luthra brothers booked their international tickets on December 7 at 1:17 AM through the MakeMyTrip platform. This was the exact window during which emergency teams were struggling to contain the fire and evacuate the victims.
In a post shared on social media, the police stated that the timeline clearly indicates that the accused were preparing to flee the country even as the rescue operation was in progress. The devastating fire, which broke out late on December 6, resulted in the death of 25 people and left several others injured.
Police: Accused Were Planning to Escape as Operations Continued
According to the Goa Police, investigations show that the brothers attempted to escape at the earliest possible moment. The police message on X noted that while rescue teams from the police and fire services were trying to control the blaze and save lives, the accused were already arranging their departure.
Earlier reports from the police had mentioned that the Luthra brothers had managed to board an early morning Indigo flight to Phuket at approximately 5:30 AM on December 7, just hours after the tragic incident.
Interpol Issues Blue Corner Notice
On Tuesday, Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice against the Luthra brothers. This type of notice serves as an international alert, enabling law enforcement agencies across 196 member countries to share vital information about individuals under investigation.
Blue notices are used for various purposes—from locating fugitives to identifying unknown persons and issuing warnings about potential threats. In this case, the notice has been circulated to assist agencies in tracking the Luthra brothers, who are currently outside the country.
Legal Setback for the Accused in Delhi Court
Meanwhile, the owners faced a major setback in Delhi. Their request for interim protection was not accepted by a local court on Wednesday. The judge postponed the hearing on their transit anticipatory bail plea to the next day and sought a response from authorities in Goa.
Additional Sessions Judge Vandana, who is handling the case, asked the Goa Police to present their side before further consideration. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 11.
The brothers have requested four weeks of anticipatory bail, arguing that they should not be arrested immediately upon returning from Thailand. Their legal representatives claim that the owners are also “victims” of the incident.
Background of the Tragedy
The horrific fire took place late on December 6 at the nightclub located in Arpora, leading to widespread shock and outrage. Initial reports suggest that the club was overcrowded, though the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In the aftermath, state authorities have imposed restrictions on several high-risk activities and have intensified audits of nightlife establishments to prevent such incidents in the future.
