09 December,2025 06:38 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondent
The Goa government has set up a committee to investigate the tragedy. Pic/PTI
The district administration demolished a section of the Romeo Lane restaurant in the Vagator area in Goa on Tuesday, officials said, reported the ANI.
The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also run Birch by Romeo Lane, the nightclub where a fire on Sunday claimed 25 lives.
Gaurav and Saurabh had reportedly fled to Phuket in Thailand just hours after the tragedy, according to the Goa Police.
Ahead of the demolition, Deputy Director of Goa Tourism, Dhiraj Wagale, stated that the 198-square-metre encroachment on the beach side would be removed, according to the ANI.
The massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the Arpora nightclub, resulting in a high-casualty incident.
The Goa government has set up a committee to investigate the tragedy.
In a significant development, the Goa Police have launched international efforts to trace the absconding owners. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Varsha Sharma confirmed that Lookout Circulars (LOCs) have been issued against the Luthra brothers.
The police are working with Interpol and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to bring them back to India, as they were not present in Goa at the time of the incident.
DIG Sharma also confirmed that Ajay Gupta, a co-owner and partner in the business, has been named among the accused and is now the subject of a Lookout Circular.
Speaking to ANI, Sharma described the fire as a 'very painful accident' and said that police action has been swift, covering identification of bodies, post-mortem examinations, and handing over remains to families, alongside the ongoing criminal investigation. She added that advisories and guidelines are being issued to restaurants, and foot patrolling has been increased ahead of the upcoming tourist season.
So far, 21 of the 25 victims' bodies have been handed over to families, with two still pending. Earlier, Bharat, the fifth accused responsible for managing the nightclub's daily operations on behalf of the owners, was brought to Anjuna Police Station.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said, reported the PTI.
(with ANI and PTI inputs)
