Panaji, December 11: Ajay Gupta, co-partner of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court in Mapusa on Thursday in connection with the deadly fire that broke out at the venue. The court has remanded Gupta to seven days of police custody for further investigation, according to officials.
Gupta, one of the four owners of the nightclub, was arrested by the Goa Police in Delhi and brought to Goa after a 36-hour transit remand granted by the Saket Court in Delhi. His legal proceedings are part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic fire incident.
On the night of December 6, a devastating blaze broke out at 'Birch by Romeo Lane,' claiming the lives of 25 people, including five tourists and 20 staff members. The Goa Police are intensifying efforts to secure the deportation of the Luthra brothers, the other co-owners of the nightclub, who are currently detained in an immigration center in Phuket, Thailand. The brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, fled to Thailand the morning after the fire. Their detention was facilitated by a blue corner notice issued earlier.
The police investigation has led to the filing of a criminal case under FIR No. 154/2025 at the Arpora Anjuna Police Station in North Goa. The charges include violations under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. The FIR alleges that the Luthra brothers, along with other accused, organized a fire show at the nightclub without the necessary safety precautions or fire equipment. This reckless action led to a massive fire that caused fatalities and serious injuries among both tourists and staff.
The investigation has further revealed that the nightclub lacked essential safety features, including emergency exit doors on both the ground and deck floors, which could have been used in the event of an emergency. The Luthra brothers and other accused are also facing charges for operating the nightclub without proper permissions and licenses from the relevant authorities. The police are actively pursuing their whereabouts, and once located, they will be requested to join the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Goa Police is taking steps to bring the Luthra brothers to justice and hold them accountable for their role in the deadly fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane.'
