From Success to Fugitives: The Rise and Fall of Luthra Brothers After Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire

Saurabh (right) is the elder brother while Gaurav is the younger sibling.

New Delhi:

For nine years, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra from Delhi's Kingsway Camp established numerous cafes and clubs, initially in Delhi before expanding to several major cities, including Goa. The duo experienced remarkable success as their venues became popular destinations for party-goers. Their social media posts frequently mentioned their "incredible journey" and feeling "humbled" when announcing new business ventures and expansion strategies.

Everything changed in a single night. A catastrophic fire at their Goa nightclub 'Birch By Romeo Lane' resulted in 25 fatalities and left six others with injuries. The subsequent investigation uncovered violations of fire safety regulations and other irregularities. Within 24 hours, the entrepreneurs transformed from being admired businessmen to wanted criminals. Currently, they are fugitives who have fled the country to evade accountability for the 25 deaths caused by the fire at their Goa establishment.

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The Rise

According to reports, Saurabh and Gaurav commenced their entrepreneurial journey in 2016 with the opening of Mama's Buoi, a nightclub at Hudson Lane. Situated near Civil Lines, Hudson Lane is in proximity to Delhi University's North Campus and serves as a popular gathering spot for college students.

Mama's Buoi achieved tremendous success, providing the Luthra brothers with a significant advantage. They subsequently launched Dramebaaz, a fast food establishment. Following this, they created a chain called Romeo Lane, which transformed these Delhi entrepreneurs into remarkable success stories in the hospitality industry.

In a 2023 Instagram post, Saurabh reflected on their journey: "As I stand at this juncture, reflecting on the incredible journey started in 2016 with Mama's Buoi in Hudson Lane to the expansion of Romeo Lane across multiple cities, it's a rush of emotions. The overwhelming love and support received have fueled our growth in the hospitality industry. As we venture into new cities, I'm humbled by the opportunity to give back and share the warmth of hospitality. Yet, amidst this expansion, the heart always returns to its origins."

Months later, the brothers opened 'Birch By Romeo Lane' in Goa, India's most attractive party destination. They were unaware that this venture would ultimately lead to their downfall.

The Brothers

Romeo Lane's website describes Saurabh Luthra as a "gold medallist engineer turned into a promising and fastest-growing restaurateur". He serves as chairman of the chain with locations in 22 cities across four countries. The website notes he is "known for his public relations and organic cocktails served at his outlets". Over recent years, Saurabh has received numerous awards in the hospitality sector.

According to The Times of India, younger brother Gaurav is also an engineer and represents the more analytical and composed business partner. While Saurabh functions as the brand's public face, Gaurav quietly manages the accounts and operations of their enterprise, GS Foods Studio Pvt Ltd.

The Luthra brothers' success story, however, included some failures. While certain franchises achieved remarkable success, others barely survived or incurred losses.

Some restaurateurs informed The Times of India that although the brothers built an aspirational brand, their rapid expansion diminished the attention required for day-to-day operational oversight.

Despite occasional setbacks, the Luthra brothers were enjoying tremendous success until one Saturday night dramatically altered their circumstances.

The Fall

Fireworks typically symbolize celebration. However, at a Goa nightclub this particular Saturday night, they became harbingers of destruction. A musical event was underway at 'Birch By Goa Lane' when electronic fireworks ignited the ceiling. Flammable materials, particularly bamboo, had been extensively used in the club's decor. Additionally, functioning fire extinguishers and alarms were absent. The fire spread quickly, causing panic among the approximately one hundred tourists inside who attempted to escape.

The single, narrow exit created chaos and confusion. While some managed to evacuate safely, others headed to the basement, becoming trapped alongside approximately 20 staff members. Firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames due to multiple safety violations. When they finally succeeded, the fire had claimed 25 lives—five tourists and 20 staff members.

The Instagram profile for 'Birch By Romeo Lane' marketed it as Goa's "First Island Club". This unique selling proposition proved to be a safety hazard. Due to the narrow access route, fire engines had to park 400 meters away, delaying rescue operations.

As investigators began their work, the Luthra brothers became persons of interest. Authorities registered a case, and Goa police dispatched a team to Delhi. However, the Luthra brothers, accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle, didn't wait for law enforcement to arrive. Hours after the Goa fire, they boarded a flight to Phuket, Thailand. At that point, no FIR had been filed, no case registered, and no travel restrictions imposed.

Nine years after their initial business success, the Luthra brothers are no longer pursuing achievement—they are now the ones being pursued.