Goa Nightclub Blaze: 'Gold-Medalist' Techie-Turned-Restaurateur Saurabh Luthra Booked Over Deadly Fire
Image Source: Internet
A devastating nightclub fire in Goa's Arpora has claimed 25 lives, sparking outrage and raising questions about safety protocols and construction permits. The club's owner, Saurabh Luthra, a 'gold-medalist' engineer-turned-restaurateur, has been booked by police for alleged lapses in safety measures. Luthra, who is also the chairman of Romeo Lane, a popular upscale restaurant and bar chain, has not yet commented on the matter. According to the club's website, Luthra has won several awards for his restaurants and bars, and is known for his public relations and organic cocktails. However, local authorities have revealed that the club was operating without necessary permissions. The structure, built on a saltpan and in the backwaters of the Arpora river, was constructed without a construction license and fell under the Coastal Regulation Zone notification, which bans construction in the intertidal zone. Eyewitnesses claim the fire started on the club's first floor, where at least 100 tourists were on the dance floor. The state police have said the blaze occurred due to a cylinder blast, but an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. Goa's chief minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, and an FIR has been lodged against Luthra and the general manager of the nightclub. The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for stricter safety measures and enforcement of construction regulations in the state.
