Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 11: The tragic nightclub fire in Goa, which claimed 25 lives including four foreigners, was raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam urging the government to take strict action against illegal nightclubs across the country. Netam highlighted that similar unauthorized establishments exist in other states, warning that they pose the same deadly risks.
The incident at Goa’s Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub has already triggered a multi-agency probe. The nightclub owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, fled India shortly after the fire but have now been detained in Thailand. Authorities are in the process of deporting the brothers back to India, where they will be handed over to the Goa police for further investigation. Their passports have been suspended, and the Ministry of External Affairs is examining the formalities for revocation.
The swift international operation to locate the Luthra brothers began immediately after immigration authorities alerted Indian officials of their departure. Once traced to Phuket, they were detained after moving locations within the island. Sources said the brothers had booked their flight at the same time the fire was raging at their club, underscoring the urgency of the investigation.
Meanwhile, a New Delhi court denied the Luthras’ plea for interim protection from arrest. Their legal team argued that they were only licensees, not owners, and were on a business trip, but these claims have yet to influence the ongoing investigation.
The Goa Police have already arrested five managers and staff members in connection with the fire. Chief minister Pramod Sawant assured that an inquiry report would be ready within eight days. Preliminary investigations point to heavy use of flammable décor and blatant violations of fire safety regulations as major contributors to the tragedy, which occurred while around 100 people were inside the nightclub.
Netam’s call in the Rajya Sabha underscores growing concerns about illegal nightlife operations nationwide and the urgent need to enforce safety norms to prevent future tragedies.