Goa Club Fire: Owners Accused of Blocking Exit, Fleeing Abroad

Authorities have filed a detailed chargesheet in connection with a fatal fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa that resulted in 25 deaths. The document, compiled by the Goa police, outlines alleged negligence by the club's owners and partners of Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP, including Ajay Gupta, Gaurav Luthra, and Saurabh Luthra. The property owner, UK national Surinder Kumar Khosla, is also named.

What Happened

The fire broke out on December 6, 2025, in Arpora, Goa. The chargesheet alleges that the nightclub had a blocked emergency exit on the west side, which was secured by a locked metal gate. This exit could have facilitated the evacuation of patrons and staff. The interior of the club was constructed with flammable materials such as dried reed grass, bamboo, and wood, with acoustic foam sheets fixed below the roof's metal sheets for soundproofing. Despite knowledge of the fire hazard posed by fireworks in crowded spaces, these were permitted during events. The club reportedly lacked fire safety equipment and an emergency evacuation plan. A narrow concrete footbridge served as the primary entrance and exit.

Key Facts

• A fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, Goa, on December 6, 2025, resulted in 25 fatalities, including five tourists.
• A 4,420-page chargesheet was filed by the Goa police against 13 accused individuals.
• Owners Ajay Gupta, Gaurav Luthra, and Saurabh Luthra face charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and forgery.
• The chargesheet states the Luthra brothers were informed of the fire and casualties around 11:45 pm on December 6.
• At 1:13 am, Saurabh Luthra allegedly contacted a travel agent in Delhi and booked flights to Phuket for himself and his brother, departing at 5:25 am.
• Ajay Gupta reportedly went to Delhi after learning of the incident and admitted himself to a hospital.
• Property owner Surinder Kumar Khosla allegedly fled to the UK and remains absconding; a Blue Corner Notice has been issued.
• The club allegedly had no fire safety equipment, no emergency evacuation plan, and no emergency exits on its basement and upper deck floors.
• The emergency exit on the west side of the upper ground/deck floor was found to be blocked by a locked metal gate.
• The interior of the upper ground/deck floor was constructed using combustible materials like dried reed grass, bamboo, and wood.
• Fireworks were permitted despite the known fire hazard in enclosed and crowded premises.
• The chargesheet also names Roshan Redkar, the former sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat, and Raghuvir Bagkar, the former secretary, as accused, alleging they connived to procure the trade/establishment licence.

Why It Matters

The chargesheet highlights significant alleged lapses in safety protocols and owner accountability. The accusation that owners were aware of a blocked emergency exit and booked international flights shortly after the incident points to a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility. The involvement of local panchayat officials in allegedly facilitating the procurement of licenses suggests a broader systemic issue that may have contributed to the disaster.