Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra, one of the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora in North Goa, in which 25 persons were killed in a devastating fire, on Monday took to Instagram to express grief and asserted that the management will extend every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from here, late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi.
Subsequent probed by several agencies have revealed multiple irregularities, including alleged absence of a fire department NOC and issuance of licence without proper documentation.
Saurabh Luthra, who has been named in the FIR related to the fire along with co-owner Gaurav Luthra, in his Instagram post, claimed the management expresses "profound grief" and is "deeply shaken" by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch.
ALSO READ: Fire tragedy: Goa govt steps up action against club chain; 2 properties sealed
"In the hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured, and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity," Saurabh Luthra said in the social media post.
"The management further affirms that it shall extend every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity," he added.
The club, which stands in the backwater of Arpora river, allegedly did not possess a fire department NOC, and small doors coupled with the narrow bridge leading to it made it difficult for the people to escape, fire officials had said after the inferno.
While the club's chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur were arrested, Chief Minister Pamod Sawant on Sunday said a police team had left for Delhi to nab the Luthras.
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Community leaders come together to celebrate 28 years of Thumbay Group’s legacy in UAE
Sharjah: Members of the Karnataka community in the UAE gathered at Thumbay Villa in Sharjah on 6 December 2025 to mark the 28th anniversary of the Thumbay Group. The event brought together business leaders, community representatives and dignitaries to reflect on the Group’s growth and its contributions to education, healthcare and research in the region.
The programme opened with a visual presentation outlining the Group’s development under the leadership of Dr. Thumbay Moideen. In his welcome address, Dr. Moideen spoke about the organisation’s expansion over the past two decades and expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership and the Karnataka diaspora for their support.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U. T. Khader addressed the gathering, commending the entrepreneurial achievements of the Indian community in the Gulf. India’s Consul General to the UAE, Satish Kumar Sivan, highlighted the Thumbay Group’s role in strengthening ties between India and the UAE, noting its contributions to medical education and healthcare delivery.
Community leaders including Dr. Kaup Muhammad, Praveen Shetty, Mohammad Ali Uchil, Shashidhar Nagarajappa and Hidayath Addoor shared their observations on the Group’s journey and on the importance of collective progress within the diaspora.
A key part of the event was the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to two industry and community leaders: Mohammed Meeran, Chairman of EMCO International and Electric Way, Dubai, and Dr. B. K. Yusuf, President of the Bearys Cultural Forum. Both were recognised for their long-standing contributions to business and community service in the UAE.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, group photographs and a networking dinner. According to organisers, the gathering reflected the continuing engagement of the Karnataka community in the Gulf and acknowledged the Thumbay Group’s 28-year presence in the UAE.
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