Fresh case against Goa nightclub fire accused for lapses at another property

Mumbai,UPDATED: Dec 24, 2025 14:41 IST

Goa Police tightened the noose around the owners of the now-shuttered Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a deadly fire erupted earlier this month, by registering another criminal case and arresting co-owner Ajay Gupta.

The fresh case against Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of the nightclub, is in connection with alleged forgery of structural health documents and approvals for another establishment. He was produced before a local court in Mapusa and remanded to five days of police custody.

Gupta had previously claimed that he was merely a "sleeping partner" and was unaware of the lapses at the nightclub, putting the blame squarely on the owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.

Gupta’s arrest comes amid a sweeping crackdown on alleged regulatory violations in Goa’s nightlife industry. Meanwhile, the probe into the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane, which left 25 people dead, continues to widen.

So far, multiple owners and associates of the club have been questioned or detained. Last week, the absconding Luthra brothers were brought back to India after being detained in Thailand, as authorities coordinated with international agencies to secure their return.

Police have alleged that the nightclub was operating in violation of several safety norms, including fire and structural regulations, and that key approvals were either missing or fraudulently obtained.

The blaze, which broke out during peak hours, trapped patrons inside the crowded venue. Most died due to toxic smoke inhalation.

In a parallel move, Goa Police have sought a Blue Corner Notice through Interpol against landowner Surinder Khosla, who allegedly fled to the United Kingdom soon after the tragedy.

Khosla, an Indian-origin British national, has been named as an accused in Investigators believe his custodial questioning is crucial to establish responsibility for structural modifications and compliance with fire norms at the property.

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