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Panaji: The authorities on Sunday started the probe hours after at least 25 people lost their lives and several others were injured a massive fire in Goa. The officials have also taken Saurabh Luthra, the owner of Birch by Romeo Lane, the club, where the incident took place, in custody for interrogation.
According to officials, the initial probe has revealed lapses in safety protocol of the club. Questions have also been raised about the construction of the club in the backwaters of the Arpora river, which was allegedly done without any permission.
Soon after the incident, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a probe into the incident. He added that an FIR was lodged against the owner and other senior officials of the nightclub. Later, he also announced the ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased.
Saurabh Luthra is the owner of the nightclub in Goa’s Arpora where the incident took place. Luthra’s LinkedIn profile also mentions him as “chairman at Romeo Lane | Birch | Mama's Buoi” in the bio. Notably, Romeo Lane is a chain of popular upscale restaurants and bars, which is located in several cities across India, including Delhi.
Romeo Lane website describes him as ‘gold medalist engineer-turned into a promising and fastest-growing restaurateur’, who is known for his “splendid work in F&B industry”. The website said that Luthra won several awards. He also has several recognitions for his restaurants, cum-bar bar since 2016.
While the probe is currently underway, the police have said that the fire occurred due to a cylinder blast after midnight on Saturday. However, as per some of the eyewitnesses, the fire began on the first floor of the club, where nearly 100 tourists were on the dance floor at the time of the incident.
