In a stunning development, the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa's Anjuna area have fled to Phuket, Thailand, boarding an early morning IndiGo flight from Delhi just hours after a massive fire ripped through their venue, claiming 25 lives. The blaze, which broke out late on December 6 during a packed event, trapped mostly staff inside due to inadequate fire exits and highly flammable materials like thatched roofs and pyrotechnics.​

Police sources confirm that brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who run the popular Romeo Lane chain, caught IndiGo flight 6E-1073 at 5:30 AM on December 7—only five hours after the tragedy—despite a fresh lookout circular. An FIR has been registered against them for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with managers and event organizers. Five individuals, including a Delhi-based operator, are already in custody as investigations intensify.​

Goa Police, now looping in the CBI's Interpol wing, are pushing for a Blue Corner Notice to locate the fugitives, banking on India's extradition pact with Thailand. Raids at the Luthras' Delhi home yielded nothing, but immigration data exposed their swift exit. Meanwhile, Saurabh Luthra posted a message of "profound grief" on social media, vowing family support for victims— a post that's drawn sharp backlash.​

The fire probe reveals glaring lapses: no functional fire exits, absent safety equipment, and an expired trade license overlooked by local authorities since March 2024. Officials from pollution and panchayat boards face suspensions, with Goa sealing other Romeo Lane outlets and ordering safety audits across nightlife spots.​

The Luthra brothers rose from Delhi's small cafes like Mama's Buoi to a 30+ venue empire, including Dubai outposts, but prior fines for noise and hygiene issues now paint a troubling picture. This incident echoes global nightclub disasters, like Brazil's 2013 Kiss fire, urging stricter enforcement in Goa's party scene to safeguard lives.