Goa

Panaji, Goa: In the wake of a devastating nightclub fire earlier this month, Goa authorities have intensified inspections of tourist hotspots across the state. As part of these actions, the popular Curlies Pub in North Goa has been sealed after officials identified multiple violations. The pub, situated along the beach in North Goa, had previously been in the spotlight in connection with the high-profile Sonali Phogat death case in August 2022. Despite earlier warnings and partial demolition of unauthorized structures, the establishment allegedly continued to flout regulatory norms, prompting authorities to take stringent action. Safety Checks After Recent TragedyThe December 6 Arpora nightclub fire, which claimed 25 lives at Birch by Romeo Lane, spurred the government to launch exte...

Panjim: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the popular Goa nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane,’ are now facing the consequences of the tragic fire that claimed 25 lives on the night of December 6. After fleeing to Thailand instead of being present at the fire site, the Luthra brothers were extradited back to India and are currently in police custody in Goa. The brothers, once accustomed to a life of luxury, are now facing starkly different conditions. Held in a police lockup without basic amenities such as blankets, mattresses, or fans, they are being provided only simple meals of lentils, rice, and pickles. Sources from the Goa police reveal that the brothers have not been cooperating with the investigation. Following their arrival in Goa, both underwent mandatory medical examinations...

A controversy has erupted in Goa after police personnel were allegedly made to perform squats as punishment for stopping the car of an IAS officer during a routine vehicle-checking drive. The incident has triggered sharp reactions within the police force, with the Director General of Police (DGP) terming the action “inappropriate.” The incident took place in Santa Cruz, North Goa, where police from the Old Goa Police Station and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) were conducting a routine naka (checkpoint). During the checking, a four-wheeler bearing a BR registration number and heading towards Panaji was stopped like any other vehicle. According to police officials, the driver of the car identified himself as an IAS officer posted with the Central Government, who had travelled to G...

The investigation into the deadly Goa nightclub fire has intensified as authorities move swiftly to bring back the club owners, popularly known as the Luthra Brothers, who allegedly fled the country instead of reporting to the accident site. Indian agencies, with the support of the Indian Embassy in Thailand, have initiated the deportation process, and a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to escort them back to India shortly. The Luthra Brothers—identified as Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the now-charred nightclub ‘Burch by Romeo Lane’ in Goa’s Arpora area—came under scrutiny after a massive fire at their establishment claimed 25 lives. Shockingly, within hours of the tragic incident on the night of December 6, the brothers allegedly fled India a...

Panaji: In a major breakthrough in the Goa nightclub fire investigation, the absconding owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra have been detained in Thailand. A Goa Police team has reached Thailand, and both brothers will be arrested the moment they land in India. Earlier, acting on Goa Police's request, the Ministry of External Affairs had suspended the passports of both accused. Owners of ‘Bourch by Romeo Lane’ The Luthra brothers owned Bourch by Romeo Lane, the nightclub in Arpora where a devastating fire killed 25 people. Their detention comes amid a massive crackdown on nightclub owners and establishments across Goa following the tragedy. Were Trying to Flee Thailand Sources said the duo was attempting to escape from Thailand when their passports were suspended late We...

A major development has emerged in the Goa nightclub fire case. Days after one of the owners, Ajay Gupta, was arrested, fugitive brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra have moved the court seeking relief from arrest. The duo, who fled India soon after the incident, have filed a petition in Delhi’s Rohini Court, requesting four weeks of transit anticipatory bail. The Luthra brothers, who escaped to Thailand on an IndiGo flight shortly after the disaster, claimed through their plea that they wish to “return and cooperate with the investigation.” The catastrophic fire at Goa’s “Birch by Romeo Lane” nightclub in Arpora killed 25 people, most of them staffers trapped inside during the blaze. Luthra Brothers Argue They Fled for ‘Professional Work’ The anticipatory bail plea filed on Wednesd...

Panaji, Goa: A devastating fire broke out late Saturday night at the popular Goa nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane,” claiming the lives of 25 people and leaving several others hospitalized in critical condition. Among those who survived is Kazakh professional belly dancer, Krishtina Sheikh, who was performing on stage when the blaze erupted. Panic Erupts Amid Flames Krishtina was in the middle of her performance when the fire alarm blared, sending the crowd into chaos. Witnesses said people were frozen in shock, looking toward the flames above them. Acting quickly, Krishtina turned and shouted for everyone to evacuate, narrowly escaping as the fire and smoke spread rapidly. Most fatalities occurred on the ground floor and in the kitchen, where individuals were trapped and unable to e...

Panaji: In the wake of the tragic fire at a Goa nightclub that claimed 25 lives, Panchayat Minister Mavin Godinho clarified that the government was not directly involved in preventing the demolition of the nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’. The incident has triggered widespread outrage over safety lapses and regulatory oversight. Government Not Responsible for Stay Orders Minister Godinho stated that the stay on the nightclub’s demolition was issued by a quasi-judicial authority, not the government. “The government did not instruct anyone to grant a stay. Gram Panchayats are autonomous bodies, and the government cannot exercise direct control over them in such matters,” he explained. Administrative Actions and Oversight Following the incident, the former director of the Panchayat...

Panjim: The tragic fire at a Goa nightclub, which claimed lives and caused extensive damage, might have been prevented had senior IPS officers allowed the local police to enforce regulations. According to reports, multiple attempts by police units to verify licenses and safety permits were blocked by higher officials, raising serious questions about administrative oversight. Police Action Hindered Local law enforcement, including units from Anjuna Police Station and the Crime Branch, had issued notices to the nightclub owners seeking documentation related to licenses and safety approvals. However, senior IPS officers reportedly instructed the police not to pursue further action, effectively halting investigations that could have uncovered critical safety violations. During the 202...

In a shocking twist to the Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, the prime accused and club owners — Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra — managed to flee the country within hours of the incident. What has raised serious questions is the fact that both men boarded an IndiGo flight to Phuket at a time when hundreds of IndiGo flights were being cancelled nationwide — yet their particular flight operated without disruption. Despite lookout circulars being issued and their photographs being pasted across airports, the accused escaped before authorities could stop them. Goa Police have now intensified the manhunt and are coordinating with the CBI’s Interpol Division to track and arrest the duo at the earliest. Key Employee Detained in DelhiOn Monday, Goa Police detained a key staff membe...