New Delhi, 04 January (H.S.): Grieving families of the 25 victims from the catastrophic Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire in Goa's Arpora village converged at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, unleashing a fierce protest demanding the death penalty for co-owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.

Chanting Hang the killers! and holding placards naming the Delhi-based brothers, demonstrators vowed no leniency until exemplary justice is served for the deceased and 50 injured survivors.

Inferno Aftermath: From Party to Death Trap

The blaze erupted on December 6, 2025, around 11:45 PM during a packed Bollywood dance event attended by ~100 revellers, mostly tourists. Electric firecrackers ignited highly flammable wooden ceilings and decor, trapping patrons in a basement engulfed by toxic smoke.

Narrow access lanes delayed fire engines (parked 400m away), prolonging the two-hour inferno and rescue till dawn—killing 20 staff (including dancers, musicians) and 5 tourists from Delhi. No functional extinguishers, alarms, or exits existed; staff reportedly used wine glasses for water amid chaos.

A magisterial inquiry probes culpable negligence, with Goa Police charging under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder, up to 10 years jail) and endangering life.

Eight arrests include staff; third owner Surinder Khosla remains at large.

Luthra Brothers' Shocking Flight and Deportation

The Luthras—Saurabh (37) and Gaurav (35), sons of a devout middle-class Delhi family—fled hours post-blaze, booking Phuket flights via MakeMyTrip at 1:17 AM December 7 while firefighters battled flames.

Detained in Thailand on December 17 after Interpol Blue Corner Notice and deportation, they sought transit anticipatory bail in Delhi's Rohini Court, claiming lynch mob fears—denied by Judge Vandana.

A Mapusa court granted 5-day police custody post-medical exams; they're in Goa judicial custody amid investigations into their 30-city hospitality empire (Romeo Lane chain).Business partner Ajay Gupta was nabbed in Delhi.

Families decried the brothers' public condolences as hollow amid alleged safety violations.

Sunday's protest amplifies calls for fast-track trial and harsher charges, vowing sustained agitation until justice for the voiceless.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar