Goa orders demolition of another Luthra club as hunt for brothers intensifies

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered the immediate demolition of Romeo Lane Vagator — another club run by the controversial Luthra brothers — days after a massive fire at their Arpora establishment killed 25 people and injured several others.

Officials confirmed that a Blue Corner notice has now been issued against Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who fled Goa shortly after the incident and are suspected to have left India. Police have pasted lookout notices at the brothers’ Delhi residence and alerted multiple enforcement agencies and airports across the country.

Crackdown expands across coastal belt

Sources said the government has decided to raze all Luthra-owned clubs and cafés operating illegally across Vagator and nearby coastal zones. Fresh demolition notices are expected as the administration moves swiftly to seal unauthorised structures.

The action follows findings that another Luthra-run club in Vagator was constructed illegally on government coastal land with no fire clearance, structural permits, or environmental approvals. The property stood just above the high-tide line and had long been flagged as unsafe.

Years of violations, no action

Despite multiple complaints filed with the police, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Pollution Control Board, and Town and Country Planning Department, no significant action was taken for years.

Local activist Ravi Harmalkar, who repeatedly raised concerns, alleged he was threatened by the Luthras. He later petitioned the Bombay High Court (Goa Bench), which ordered demolition — but only partial action was executed.

Subsequent notices were similarly ignored, and the structure was repeatedly rebuilt.

Spotlight on political protection

The tragedy has reignited questions around alleged political and bureaucratic protection enjoyed by the Luthra brothers. Activists claim the duo operated multiple unauthorised establishments through a network of influence that spanned senior officials.

The deadly blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane — which killed 20 staff and five tourists — triggered statewide outrage and pushed authorities into decisive action. The upscale nightclub was completely gutted, exposing systemic safety lapses.

Luthras remain untraceable

Investigators say the brothers may have fled abroad. Saurabh Luthra, who describes himself online as a Forbes-featured entrepreneur and engineer-turned-restaurateur, also owns property in Dubai and was planning new outlets before the tragedy.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Saurabh called the incident a moment of “irreparable sorrow,” adding that the management was “deeply shaken.”

Officials say all illegal Luthra properties in Goa will now be demolished without delay.