Bulldozers raze Luthras’ Romeo Lane shack after Goa fire.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant ordered the immediate demolition of the Romeo Lane shack in Vagator following Tuesday’s directive.
Goa authorities on Tuesday moved swiftly to demolish Romeo Lane, the well-known Vagator beach shack owned by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — the same brothers who also operated Birch, the Arpora nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 people over the weekend. The action came directly on the orders of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, signalling the state’s attempt to clamp down on alleged violations and intensify pressure on the absconding owners.
By Tuesday evening, excavators had reached the Romeo Lane premises and demolition work was underway, according to news agency PTI. Social media was soon flooded with videos showing bulldozers tearing through the structure, drawing both relief and anger from local residents and tourists familiar with the bustling nightlife circuit in North Goa. For many, the visuals became a stark symbol of the government’s response to a disaster that has shaken the state’s hospitality industry.
The urgency behind the demolition coincides with the widening hunt for the Luthra brothers, who police say boarded an IndiGo flight from New Delhi to Phuket at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday — just hours after the fire at Birch. The incident, which unfolded during peak weekend activity, led to the deaths of 25 people and raised serious questions about safety lapses, licensing violations and overcrowding at nightlife venues. The brothers’ quick departure from India has further fuelled suspicion, prompting authorities to escalate their pursuit.
Goa Police confirmed that a lookout notice had already been issued and circulated through the Bureau of Immigration. This means that the brothers would be stopped at any Indian immigration checkpoint if they attempted to re-enter the country. But with the duo believed to be in Thailand, Indian agencies have begun coordinating with local authorities in Phuket to trace their location. Sources say efforts are underway to secure their deportation, which officials believe could be faster and more effective than initiating a formal extradition process. An arrest warrant has reportedly been issued to support these requests.
Police teams who visited the brothers’ north Delhi residence on Monday reported that they were unable to locate them. Neighbours told officers they had not seen the two for days, and security staff claimed they had no information about their whereabouts. The property, according to police sources, showed no sign of recent activity. Investigators have also questioned associates, staff members and business partners from both Romeo Lane and Birch in hopes of piecing together the brothers’ movements after the fire. Officers suspect that the brothers may have been aware of the impending legal consequences, given the scale of the tragedy at their Arpora venue.
Even as the search continues, the Goa government has emphasised that accountability will not stop with the owners. Officials have begun examining the licensing status, fire safety compliance and occupancy limits of several other nightlife venues across the state. CM Sawant said earlier this week that no establishment found violating safety norms would be spared. He also announced a wider review of commercial permits issued along the coastal belt, particularly in tourist hotspots like Vagator, Anjuna and Arpora, which draw massive crowds during the holiday season.
Local authorities argue that Romeo Lane had multiple irregularities, including alleged construction violations, which justified its demolition. The shack has been a popular spot in Vagator’s nightlife map, drawing both domestic and international tourists, and frequently featuring on social media. Its demolition marks a significant moment in the government’s wider crackdown, especially given the public outrage following the fire.
Meanwhile, the families of victims from the Birch fire continue to demand justice. Several have questioned how the club was allowed to operate if it lacked required safety clearances. Survivors have described chaotic scenes inside the venue as flames spread rapidly, the lack of clear exits and the panic that followed. Investigators are now assessing whether the club was over capacity and whether emergency measures like extinguishers, alarms and evacuation pathways were functional.
For now, Romeo Lane’s fall is seen as both a message and a warning — a clear sign that the government intends to act swiftly and visibly. But much of the public believes that the true measure of justice lies in ensuring that those responsible, especially the Luthra brothers, are brought back to India to face questioning and legal proceedings. Until then, Goa remains gripped by a mix of anger, grief and anticipation as the investigation moves forward.