Panaji: The Goa Police on Wednesday categorically denied claims that any delay or negligence on their part facilitated the escape of the Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, who are the primary accused in the tragic nightclub fire in north Goa that claimed 25 lives on Saturday night. The statement comes amid widespread public and media scrutiny over how the brothers managed to flee the country for Phuket, Thailand, in the hours following the disaster.

According to official sources, the Luthra brothers had booked their flight tickets online via the MakeMyTrip (MMT) platform at 1:17 am on Sunday, barely an hour and a half after the blaze erupted at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular nightclub located in Arpora village. The fire, which devastated the 300-square-metre establishment, led to the deaths of 25 individuals, including 20 staff members and five tourists, and left six others injured.

Police Statement on Flight Bookings and Rescue Operations

Goa Police Public Relations Officer Nilesh Rane clarified that while the police and Fire Services were fully engaged in battling the fire and conducting rescue operations, the Luthra brothers were already preparing to leave the country. “The allegation of an ‘assisted escape’ is completely false,” Rane asserted. “Goa Police and all assisting agencies were at the site throughout the night until 6:00 AM, carrying out rescue operations, dousing the fire, and recovering victims. The accused left on a 5:30 AM flight, meaning they fled immediately after learning of the incident and before the scale of the tragedy was even known.”

The statement further emphasized that the fire occurred in the early hours of December 7, and that emergency responders remained on the scene until dawn. Rane added that the police had already initiated international coordination through INTERPOL to trace and apprehend the Luthra brothers in accordance with legal procedures.

Timeline of Events

The fire broke out on the night of December 6-7, reportedly exacerbated by multiple safety lapses. Preliminary investigations suggest that pyrotechnics inside the club, combined with a thatched roof and stored alcohol, accelerated the blaze. While emergency services battled the inferno, the accused allegedly coordinated their escape in the early hours of the morning.

Police have confirmed that the brothers booked their international flight at 1:17 AM and managed to board a 5:30 AM flight to Phuket. This timeline indicates that the decision to flee was premeditated and executed within a very short window of time. The rapidity of their departure, police say, should not be construed as indicative of assistance or complicity by local authorities.

Ongoing Investigation and Arrests

So far, the Goa Police have arrested six individuals connected to the club, including four managerial-level staff, Bharat Singh Kohli, who oversaw operations on behalf of the Luthras, and Ajay Gupta, a business partner of the brothers. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are actively pursuing international cooperation to ensure that the fugitives are brought to justice.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addressed the incident in the context of law enforcement accountability, warning that any individuals who attempt to evade police inquiries would be subject to arrest. He specifically mentioned the local village panchayat secretary, who had not responded to police summons, stating that the official would be taken into custody if he failed to turn up to record his statement.

Safety Lapses and Public Outcry

The tragic fire has sparked nationwide outrage and has raised serious questions about fire safety compliance in Goa’s nightlife sector. Investigators have highlighted multiple lapses at Birch by Romeo Lane, including inadequate exits, overcrowding, the use of pyroguns indoors, and improper storage of alcohol. These factors, combined with the structure’s thatched roofing, allowed the fire to spread rapidly, trapping patrons and staff.

Safety experts have argued that stringent checks and mandatory compliance with fire safety protocols could have prevented such a catastrophe. The Goa government has since intensified inspections of all high-footfall tourist establishments, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues, with a focus on enforcing fire safety norms and ensuring licensed operations.

Government Measures and Reforms

In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Sawant convened a meeting with tourism stakeholders and law enforcement officials to review the safety protocols for the ongoing tourist season. He emphasized that Goa remains open for tourists, but only licensed operators would be permitted to function. Establishments that fail to comply with safety regulations, including nightclubs and adventure activity providers, would face immediate closure.

The state government has also prohibited the use of fireworks, sparklers, pyrotechnic devices, flame-thrower equipment, smoke generators, and similar fire or smoke-producing items across all tourist and entertainment venues. The ban extends to nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, resorts, banquet halls, event venues, and temporary structures.

Public and Media Reaction

The Luthra brothers’ flight booking and subsequent escape prompted speculation and criticism in media and public discourse, with questions raised about whether authorities could have acted faster to prevent their departure. However, the official police timeline and the corroborating details of rescue operations indicate that the brothers’ escape was executed independently and within a narrow time frame.

The police statement aims to clarify that all resources were deployed at the scene to save lives and control the blaze. According to Rane, the emergency response, which continued until 6:00 AM, involved coordinated efforts between Goa Police, Fire Services, and other agencies to rescue trapped individuals and recover the deceased.

International Coordination

With the Luthra brothers now in Thailand, Goa Police have intensified international coordination through INTERPOL. This involves issuing red corner notices, requesting assistance from Thai authorities, and tracking the fugitives’ movements to facilitate their extradition. The investigation is also focused on tracing other individuals who may have been involved in the club’s operations and the incident.

Authorities have underscored that while the public may perceive delays in apprehending the brothers, all legal procedures are being followed meticulously to ensure that their arrest and prosecution comply with domestic and international law.

Conclusion

The Goa nightclub fire of December 7, 2025, represents one of the deadliest incidents in the state’s recent history, highlighting both safety lapses in the hospitality sector and the challenges of managing post-tragedy investigations. While the Luthra brothers’ flight to Thailand sparked allegations of possible collusion or police negligence, official statements make it clear that the escape occurred independently, immediately following the incident, and prior to authorities fully assessing the scale of the tragedy.

As the state government continues to enforce stricter safety norms, conduct inspections, and pursue international legal cooperation to bring the accused to justice, the tragedy has served as a stark reminder of the critical importance of regulatory compliance in ensuring public safety. Meanwhile, Goa’s authorities remain committed to balancing safety enforcement with the continuation of a vibrant tourist season, ensuring that licensed establishments operate responsibly and that visitors are protected from similar incidents in the future.