Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane club in North Goa’s Arpora, are facing an FIR after 25 people were killed in the tragic inferno, police officials said.
“Police have registered an FIR against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita,” PTI quoted a senior police official as saying.
Saurabh Luthra – who has also featured on Forbes India, according to his Instagram profile, is the chairman of Romeo Lane, a chain of restaurants spread across Delhi, Goa, Gurgaon, among others.
Who is Saurabh Luthra?
Romeo Lane’s website describes its chairman Saurabh Luthra as a “gold medalist turned up-and-coming and fastest growing restaurateur” said to be known for his work in the food and beverage industry.
Night club inferno in North Goa
Up to 25 people, including tourists and restaurant staff, were killed when a massive fire broke out at the club shortly after midnight on Sunday. Police said the fire was reported around 12:04 a.m. Sunday.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement announcing the ex-gratia ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased in the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy. They would get hurt ₹50,000, PM Modi said.
How did the fire happen?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site of the accident to take stock of the situation and noted that the restaurant had violated fire safety norms. After the pressure cylinder exploded, the nightclub caught fire and many people died due to suffocation and nearly three people were burnt. According to CM, most of the victims were kitchen staff, including 3 female employees of the Birch by Romeo Lane club.
PM Modi expressed his sincere condolences: “Deeply saddened by the fire accident in Arpora, Goa. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injuries be healed as soon as possible. He spoke about the situation with Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji. The state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
