Panaji: The Goa Police have issued a lookout notice for Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, part owners of nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane. A devastating fire broke out at the establishment in Arpora, North Goa, around midnight on Sunday, killing 25 people.
The Luthra brothers fled India just hours after the blaze, as reported by Republic TV. Immigration records apparently confirm they boarded an early-morning flight (IndiGo 6E 1073) from Delhi to Phuket at 5.30 am on Sunday.
The Goa Police have formally requested assistance from Interpol via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to secure the brothers’ arrest at the earliest, the channel has reported.
Goa Police described their departure as “intent to avoid police investigation”, underlining the urgency of international cooperation.
Police teams reached the Luthras’ known residences and offices in Delhi soon after an FIR was registered against them, but found both properties locked and unoccupied. Notices were pasted on the gates.
A number of their associates and club staff have been taken into custody. Those detained are the chief general manager, general manager, bar manager and gate manager of the club.
Bharat Kohli, a key manager from the Delhi outlet, was also detained and placed on transit remand to appear before the Goa Police.
The police are also looking for Ajay Gupta, who is suspected of being a partner of the Luthras. He took is suspected to be associated with the operations of the nightclub, the channel has reported.
Investigators have reportedly intensified raids in and around Delhi, probing his possible hideouts or connections.
According to authorities, preliminary investigations have already pointed to a slew of regulatory and safety lapses. According to police and fire-service officials, the club lacked valid fire-safety clearances, proper emergency exits and essential safety infrastructure such as sprinklers, alarms and clearly marked escape routes.
Those in the know claim that the venue’s structure, that included inflammable materials, and a single narrow exit, severely exacerbated the disaster.
With the Luthra brothers abroad and a third partner still unaccounted for, the Goa Police have escalated the hunt. A magisterial inquiry panel has been constituted, the state government has ordered safety audits of all nightclubs and similar establishments across Goa for compliance with fire and building norms.
One of the vital questions being asked is how such a prominent joint was allowed to operate without mandatory clearances and lack of safety measures.
