PANAJI, Dec 16 — The investigation into the deadly fire at a Goa nightclub that killed 25 people has widened, with police arresting five managers and staff members and warning that more arrests could follow.
Goa Police said the arrests are part of a broader probe into alleged violations of fire safety and licensing norms at Birch by Romeo Lane, the Arpora nightclub where the blaze erupted on Dec. 6.
“The responsibility does not stop at one level,” an official familiar with the investigation said. “We are examining decisions taken by management, staff and others involved in the operation of the premises.”
The case has also drawn judicial scrutiny. The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit filed against the nightclub into a public interest litigation, signaling a wider examination of accountability and safety standards.
“Someone has to be held accountable,” the court observed while hearing the matter, according to court records.
The nightclub’s co-owners, brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, were deported from Thailand and taken into custody in Delhi on Tuesday. They face charges of culpable homicide and negligence, police said.
Authorities allege the establishment was operating without adequate fire safety measures, raising concerns about oversight and enforcement in popular nightlife hubs across Goa.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and includes scrutiny of permits, safety audits and the role of various officials connected to the venue.
