As investigations continue into the deadly midnight fire at a Goa nightclub that claimed 25 lives, the spotlight has turned to the club&rsquo;s owner, Saurabh Luthra. 
The fire broke out late Saturday night at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, and preliminary findings have pointed to serious lapses in safety protocols and possible construction violations.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. 
An FIR has been registered against the owner and the general manager of the nightclub, and both are set to be arrested. 
Police have confirmed that Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav have been booked in the case.
Saurabh Luthra is the chairman of the Romeo Lane restaurant and nightclub chain, which operates across multiple cities in India and has an international presence as well. 
His professional profile describes him as a &ldquo;gold medalist engineer-turned-restaurateur&rdquo; who entered the food and beverage industry after a career in technology.&nbsp;
His brand portfolio includes Romeo Lane, Birch, and Mama&rsquo;s Buoi.
The Romeo Lane chain is currently operational or expanding across 22 cities and four countries. 
Luthra is known within the hospitality industry for his focus on public relations and premium cocktail offerings. 
Since 2016, his outlets have received multiple industry awards and recognitions. 
Luthra has not issued any public statement since the fire.
Questions Over Safety and Construction Violations.
Initial police findings suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a cylinder blast after midnight. 
However, several eyewitnesses have claimed the fire began on the first floor of the nightclub, where more than 100 tourists were present on the dance floor at the time.
Local authorities revealed that the nightclub had been operating amid ongoing disputes related to land ownership and business partnerships. 
The structure was allegedly built without a valid construction licence. 
Though a demolition notice had been issued earlier, it was stayed after an appeal.
The club was constructed on land that was previously a saltpan, considered an ecologically sensitive area. 
It also reportedly fell under the Coastal Regulation Zone, where construction in intertidal zones is prohibited.
Rescue Hampered by Location.
The nightclub is located in the backwaters of the Arpora river, accessible only through narrow lanes. 
This severely hampered rescue efforts, as fire tenders were unable to reach the spot directly and had to be stationed nearly 400 metres away.
The incident has sparked widespread concern over illegal construction, lax safety enforcement, and regulatory failures in high-risk commercial zones across Goa. 
The ongoing inquiry is expected to fix accountability for the lapses that led to one of the deadliest nightclub fires in the state&rsquo;s history.

Firefighters struggle to access remote Goa nightclub

Deadly blaze kills 25; safety lapses and illegal construction under probe

Goa Nightclub Blaze: Owner Saurabh Luthra Arrested

Deadly blaze kills 25; safety lapses and illegal construction under probe

December 7, 2025 | 18:36 IST