A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa's Arpora area has resulted in the tragic loss of 25 lives, prompting police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the establishment's owners, manager, and event organizers. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, has also led to the detention of the local village council head, Roshan Redkar, amid serious allegations of safety norm violations.
Key Figures Named in FIR After Tragic Blaze
According to reports citing a senior police official, the FIR names two owners of the nightclub, its manager, and the event organizers. Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa, was also detained in connection with the case. Redkar revealed that the club was managed by Saurav Luthra, who was reportedly involved in a dispute with a partner. "There was a dispute between them, and they had filed a complaint against each other with the panchayat. We had inspected the premises and found that they did not have the permission to construct the club," Redkar was quoted as saying.
Who is Saurav Luthra?
Saurav Luthra, identified as the Chairman of the Romeo Lane restaurant chain, is a prominent figure in India's food and beverage industry. Featured on Forbes India, his Instagram profile describes him as a restaurateur with outlets across Delhi, Goa, and Gurgaon. The Romeo Lane website hails him as a "Gold medalist engineer turned into a promising and fastest-growing restaurateur," recognized for his significant contributions to the F&B sector.
Casualties and Official Response
The fire, reported around 12:04 am on Sunday, claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including tourists and staff members. Six other people were injured and are currently stated to be in stable condition, receiving medical care. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site and confirmed that the establishment had violated fire safety regulations. The blaze, intensified by a cylinder explosion, led to numerous deaths due to suffocation.
CM Sawant announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident. In a post on social media platform X, he stated, "I am closely reviewing the situation arising from the tragic fire incident at Arpora... I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the entire incident to identify the cause and fix responsibility."
Compensation Announced for Victims
In the wake of the tragedy, the Prime Minister's Office has announced financial aid for the victims' families. An ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be given to the next of kin of each deceased person. Additionally, each injured person will receive ₹50,000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, saying, "The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest." He confirmed that he had spoken to CM Sawant and that the state government was providing all possible assistance.
