Goa police continued their investigation on Monday into the deadly fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Arpora, north Goa, which claimed the lives of 25 people, including staff and tourists. Here are six key developments in the probe:

1. Fire Incident Details:
The fire broke out late on the night of Saturday, December 7, at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub. The blaze tragically killed 25 people, comprising both tourists and employees, and left authorities scrambling to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the disaster.

2. Formation of Magisterial Panel:
The Goa government has constituted a four-member magisterial inquiry committee to probe the incident. The panel includes South Goa Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma, Director of Forensic Sciences Ashutosh Apte, and Rajendra Halarnkar, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services. The committee’s mandate is to investigate the causes of the fire, lapses in safety measures, and responsibility of the owners and staff.

3. Owners Not Found at Delhi Residence:
A Goa police team visited the Delhi residence of the nightclub’s co-owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, as part of the investigation. However, the brothers, who are among the main accused in the case, were not at home. Police questioned their family members to determine their whereabouts.

4. Saurabh Luthra’s Statement:
Co-owner Saurabh Luthra expressed “profound grief” over the tragedy on social media. He offered support to the families of the victims in “every possible form” and stated that the management was deeply shaken by the loss of lives. The post, shared on Instagram, highlighted the personal and organizational impact of the incident.

5. Detention of Nightclub Employee:
Authorities detained Bharat Kohli, an employee of the nightclub and resident of Sabzi Mandi in Delhi. Kohli’s name surfaced during the questioning of the club manager. He was brought to Goa for further interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation into the fire.

6. Crackdown on Romeo Lane Chain and Last Rites for Victims:
In response to the fire, the Goa government intensified its scrutiny of Romeo Lane, the chain that owns multiple upscale restaurants and bars across India. Two properties, along with a beach shack and another club in Vagator and Assagao, were sealed. Meanwhile, the last rites of three migrant workers from Jharkhand—Pramod Mahto (24), Binod Mahto (20), and Mohit Munda (22)—who were killed in the fire, were performed in their native places. Their bodies were flown back to Jharkhand on Monday morning.

The investigation into the tragic incident continues, with authorities working to identify the causes of the fire, accountability of the owners and staff, and lapses in safety protocols. The developments highlight both the human tragedy and the regulatory challenges surrounding the operation of nightclubs and entertainment venues in Goa.