Bombay High Court revokes bail for Luthra brothers today

Bombay High Court officials in Goa revoked the bail previously granted to Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra on Tuesday. These brothers own Birch by Romeo Lane, an establishment where a catastrophic fire claimed 25 lives last December, including five tourists. Authorities directed both men to surrender to law enforcement within two weeks, though the court granted them permission to file fresh bail applications afterward. Lower court judges originally granted them bail earlier in April. State government representatives quickly challenged this ruling. Government lawyers highlighted the severity of the deadly fire incident alongside separate accusations. Investigators claim the owners forged official documents to obtain required licenses for running the establishment. Safety protocols at many coastal entertainment venues face heavy scrutiny following similar regulatory failures across tourist destinations.

Police Chargesheet Reveals Escape Plan

Goa police submitted a detailed 4,420-page document naming 13 individuals linked to the disaster. Suspects include 55-year-old Ajay Gupta, 44-year-old Gaurav Luthra, 40-year-old Saurabh Luthra, and UK national Surinder Kumar Khosla, who owns the actual property. Law enforcement formally charged them with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with forgery offences. Investigators found that club managers alerted the owners about the severe emergency and mounting casualties around 11:45 pm on the night of December 6. By 1:13 am, Saurabh used his wife's phone to contact a Delhi travel agent. He booked international flights immediately. The brothers boarded a plane to Phuket at 5:25 am while rescue efforts continued at their ruined property.

Partners Arrested After Evading Authorities

Partner Ajay Gupta stayed in Goa until roughly 11:30 am on December 7. After learning about the extensive tragedy, he reportedly traveled straight to Delhi and admitted himself into a Lajpat Nagar hospital. Police records state he turned off his personal phone to avoid tracking. He communicated strictly through his driver's mobile device until officers finally arrested him on December 10.