Goa: The Goa Police has registered an FIR against the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane after a devastating fire at the nightclub claimed 25 lives and left six others injured in Arpora. Officials said the case has been lodged against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.
A senior officer told sources that the club’s manager and the event organisers have also been booked. In addition to the FIR, the panchayat sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa, Roshan Redkar, has been detained for issuing a trade licence for the premises in 2013.
The police action came after preliminary findings revealed serious violations in the nightclub’s construction and functioning. The probe highlighted a narrow entry point, an inadequate escape plan and the use of flammable materials, all of which contributed to the scale of the tragedy. Officials also confirmed that the structure was unauthorised. A demolition notice had been served earlier, but it was stayed by a higher authority.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said strict action would be taken against all those responsible for allowing the club to operate despite repeated safety breaches.
The fire broke out during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday when nearly 100 people were inside the premises. Investigators believe a cylinder blast triggered the blaze. As panic spread, several people rushed toward the ground floor, but many became trapped in the kitchen area due to the narrow entrance and poor evacuation routes.
Police said the deceased included four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of seven others are yet to be confirmed. Rescue efforts continued through the night as officials worked to trace survivors and recover bodies from the burnt structure.
