Demolition Order Issued by CM
The Goa government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, ordered the demolition of Romeo Lane shack in Vagator, a property owned by brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, just days after the deadly fire at their Arpora nightclub.
Officials said the demolition commenced Tuesday evening, with heavy machinery swiftly razing the shack and reclaiming around 198 square metres of coastal land. The exercise was reportedly completed within two hours, under strict police supervision.
This move follows national outrage over the fire, which killed 25 people — 20 staff and five tourists — and raised serious questions about fire safety compliance and illegal construction practices.
Background: Fire Tragedy That Sparked It
On the night of December 6, 2025, a devastating blaze tore through Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa. The fire, reportedly triggered by burst firecrackers, engulfed the 300 sq m structure and trapped many inside. Police and investigation teams found that the club lacked proper emergency exits and violated fire safety norms.
In the aftermath, Goa Police registered an FIR against the Luthra brothers and several club officials under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alleging culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence, and endangering lives.
Five arrests have been made so far: senior staff, including the club’s general manager, bar manager, gate manager, and a daily operations manager.
Meanwhile, the owners — Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — reportedly flew from New Delhi to Phuket, Thailand, at 5:30 a.m. the morning after the fire.
Enforcement & Legal Crackdown
As part of the crackdown, authorities have undertaken multiple actions:
- The shack at Vagator — allegedly illegal — was demolished under direct orders from the Chief Minister.
- The passports of the Luthra brothers were requested to be impounded by central authorities to prevent further flight.
- A “blue corner notice” has reportedly been issued internationally for the Luthras, reflecting the seriousness of the matter and the intent to bring them back for legal proceedings.
- Several government officials from the local panchayat and pollution control board, who earlier cleared permits or stayed a demolition order, have been asked to join the investigation.
Authorities have clarified that the beach shack was constructed illegally — on eco-sensitive salt-pan land — without proper clearances or adherence to coastal regulation norms.
Public Safety, Regulations Under Scrutiny
The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of Goa’s nightlife and club safety regulations.
- The fire has exposed serious lapses in club licensing, fire safety adherence, and approval of coastal/eco-sensitive properties for commercial nightlife usage.
- Several NGOs and local stakeholders are now calling for stricter enforcement of environmental and building regulations — especially for properties on salt-pan land or coastal zones.
- There’s a demand for a comprehensive audit of all nightclubs, restaurants, and tourist establishments in Goa, to ensure compliance with fire safety, structural norms, and licensing requirements. Authorities, reportedly, have already begun work on such audits.
What’s Next: Investigation & Accountability
With the shack demolished and legal proceedings underway, all eyes are on the arrest of the Luthra brothers and final outcome of the investigation.
The state’s magisterial inquiry — set up post-fire — remains active, and more arrests or summons appear likely as investigators dig deeper into aspects such as:
- Structural permissions and compliance for the nightclub and shack
- Role of local authorities/panchayat or environmental regulators in granting stay orders or permissions
- Use of unauthorized firecrackers or fireworks inside the club
Families of the victims and survivors are awaiting compensation and closure; meanwhile, Goa’s tourism and nightlife industry is bracing for stricter regulation and oversight.
