A significant development has emerged in the Goa nightclub fire case after authorities confirmed that the establishment’s owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, left for Phuket just hours after the incident. The fire, which occurred shortly after midnight on December 6, claimed 25 lives, including 20 employees and five tourists. Goa Police have now escalated the investigation, activating international coordination and examining the circumstances surrounding the rapid exit of the accused.
Departure Timeline Raises Questions Over Evasion
According to official statements, the Bureau of Immigration in Mumbai alerted Goa Police that both owners boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket at 5:30 a.m. on December 7. The incident itself occurred around midnight, which means the accused had departed India only a few hours after the fire. Police had already initiated an FIR and requested a Look Out Circular by early morning on December 7, but by then the two had exited the country.
The timing of their departure has amplified concerns regarding potential evasion of the legal process and awareness of the gravity of the incident.
Interpol Coordination and Nationwide Raids Begin
In view of the seriousness of the case, Goa Police have coordinated with the Interpol Division of the CBI to ensure that both accused are tracked, detained, and brought back for questioning. A dedicated police team was dispatched to Delhi to conduct raids at the registered residences of the owners. Notices under relevant legal provisions were pasted on the gates of their properties after they were found to be missing.
Officials have stated that this sequence of actions indicates deliberate avoidance of the investigation, intensifying the urgency of locating the accused.
Government Constitutes Four-Member Panel to Examine Safety Lapses
Alongside the criminal investigation, the Goa Government has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate fire safety protocols, licensing compliance, structural conditions, and evacuation measures of the nightclub. The objective is to assess how such a large-scale tragedy occurred and determine whether regulatory gaps contributed to the loss of life.
The panel is expected to review operational records, building permissions, safety audit reports, and prior inspections relevant to the establishment.
Casualties and Medical Efforts
The fire resulted in 25 deaths—20 of them workers at the nightclub, and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured individuals were admitted to the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Authorities have confirmed that the postmortem examination for all victims has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
The scale of loss has intensified public scrutiny of commercial safety norms across the state.
Employee Taken Into Custody for Investigation
Goa Police have secured the transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the nightclub, who is expected to provide critical insights into the establishment’s operations on the night of the incident. His testimony is anticipated to shed light on safety preparedness, staff movement, and emergency response within the premises during the fire.
Public Safety and Accountability at the Center of Probe
The incident has triggered widespread debate on safety standards in entertainment venues and the adequacy of regulatory oversight. With the accused now outside India, international coordination has become central to the investigation. Authorities aim to ensure complete accountability, identify operational lapses, and strengthen safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
