From gold-medalist engineer to Goa nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh Luthra

A gold-medalist engineering graduate, Saurabh Luthra built a fast-growing hospitality empire with Romeo Lane, Birch and Mama’s Buoi. Once seen as a young industry success story, his rapid expansion and high-profile branding positioned him as a rising nightlife force in Goa and beyond.

Despite operating major clubs, Luthra was described as distant and unapproachable. Locals and industry insiders said he kept to himself and rarely engaged with the community. Many claim this disconnect contributed to oversight blind spots and poor on-ground accountability.

The nightclub blaze that killed 25 people revealed alleged failures such as missing fire NOC, narrow exits and inadequate emergency systems. Investigators believe these lapses turned a popular nightlife venue into a deadly trap, sparking widespread outrage.

Activist Tahir Noronha alleged Luthra repeatedly ignored noise rules and avoided hearings even after an FIR was filed. He described him as “like a ghost,” opening outlets but rarely present in Goa, raising concerns about how his establishments were supervised.

Employees at Birch by Romeo Lane said Luthra visited only once a month and interacted only with select individuals. Survivors of the fire noted that his limited involvement meant workers had little direct access to the person ultimately responsible for safety.

TTAG president Jack Sukhija stated that Luthra was never registered with the tourism association despite running major nightlife businesses. He was listed only with the panchayat, highlighting regulatory gaps and loose monitoring of high-risk establishments.

Grieving families say the tragedy was preventable and blame management negligence. Relatives argue that simple safety basics—alarms, sprinklers, wider exits—could have saved many lives, intensifying anger toward the club’s owners and operators.

Now wanted by Goa Police, Luthra released a social media message expressing grief and assuring cooperation. However, critics question whether remorse can balance years of alleged non-compliance as authorities probe deeper into systemic and managerial failures.