Once accustomed to a life of luxury, the brothers spent Wednesday night in the Anjuna police lock-up, sleeping on the floor without mattresses or blankets and eating a simple meal of rice, dal and pickle as police intensified questioning over the December 6 inferno that killed 25 people.
A North Goa court has sent the Luthras to five days of police custody, giving investigators time to piece together how alleged safety lapses, illegal operations and managerial decisions may have contributed to the disaster. The case has also sharpened scrutiny on enforcement failures in Goa’s nightlife hubs, where packed venues, temporary structures and fire shows have become common despite repeated warnings from safety authorities.
Intensive questioning and custody battle
Goa Police have begun a detailed interrogation of the brothers, questioning them on more than 80 points related to the club’s operations, financial arrangements, event permissions and the roles played by associates, managers, organisers and other partners. Investigators are seeking to establish who authorised the fire show on the night of the blaze, how safety clearances were handled, and whether commercial considerations overrode basic precautions.
During their court appearance, the Luthras sought medical assistance, claiming health issues and requesting a mattress while in custody. Through their lawyer, P V Pavithran, they argued that Saurabh suffered from a spinal disc problem while Gaurav had a tailbone fracture. Judicial magistrate Puja Sardesai directed police to take both men to the North Goa District Hospital for a medical examination.
Doctors declared them fit, following which the court rejected their demand for special facilities in the lock-up. Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi, who lost four family members in the fire, said the accused were seeking “special consideration” despite the scale of the tragedy. He said the court had taken note that the case involved the deaths of 25 people and refused to grant any additional comfort to the accused.
From Phuket to police lock-up
The brothers’ arrest followed a dramatic effort to trace them after they fled the country hours after the fire. Goa Police secured an Interpol Blue Corner Notice after learning that the Luthras had travelled to Thailand’s Phuket. They were subsequently deported and brought to Delhi on an emergency certificate, before being flown to Goa under police custody.
Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Goa Police completed the necessary legal formalities before presenting them in court. Their return has allowed investigators to move beyond documentary evidence and survivor accounts to directly question those who allegedly controlled the nightclub’s operations.
Safety lapses under scrutiny
The December 6 blaze, North Goa’s worst fire tragedy, broke out at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora during a crowded weekend event. Survivors told investigators that flames spread within minutes, leaving little chance of escape. A temporary structure made of palm leaves and wood is believed to have caught fire after electric firecrackers used during a performance struck the ceiling.
Preliminary findings by the police and the Directorate of Fire Services indicate that the club was operating in violation of mandatory fire safety norms. Investigators allege that the licence had expired and had not been renewed since 2024, and that the venue had been functioning illegally for nearly 18 months.
The nightclub’s location in the backwaters of the Arpora river, with narrow access roads and limited entry and exit points, further worsened the situation. Fire brigade vehicles were unable to reach the site directly and had to park around 400 metres away, delaying rescue efforts.
The Luthra brothers now face charges of culpable homicide and negligence, with the investigation expected to widen to include possible regulatory failures and the accountability of officials who allowed the club to operate despite apparent violations. As police custody continues, the case has become a litmus test for whether Goa’s thriving nightlife industry will finally be forced to reckon with long-ignored safety norms.
