Luthra brothers granted conditional bail in Goa nightclub fire that killed 25

Mangalore Today News Network

Goa, Apr 1, 2026: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, brothers who owned and operated the Birch By Romeo Lane in Goa, were granted conditional bail by a court in Mapusa on Wednesday in connection with last year’s fire tragedy that killed at least 25 people.

The brothers had fled to Thailand after the deadly incident at their nightclub in Arpora, but were deported to India by Thai authorities on December 16, ten days after the fire.

Last month, a court rejected their anticipatory bail plea in a case related to alleged forgery and cheating.

The duo, along with other members of the nightclub’s management, are accused of forging a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Health Office and using it to obtain excise licences and other permissions to operate the establishment. A second FIR was also lodged against the Luthras and their associates for allegedly fabricating documents to secure approvals for the club.

A site inspection of the nightclub had reportedly not taken place for nearly 15 months despite a serious complaint against the establishment.

The nightclub, however, received a “green clearance" from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to operate until 2039.

The government initiated criminal proceedings against the club owners over alleged negligence and violation of mandatory safety norms following the fire.

According to Goa Police, a fireworks event was organised at the club without proper fire safety equipment and other essential safeguards.

Police also alleged that the establishment lacked adequate emergency exits for evacuation.

Meanwhile, a district court in Mapusa in North Goa last week granted bail to Ajay Gupta, co-owner of the nightclub.

Earlier in January, the Goa government had dismissed Arpora Village Panchayat Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and Panchayat Secretary of Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat Raghuvir Bagkar from service, finding “persistent negligence" in the fire case.

The Directorate of Panchayats, based on the Magisterial Inquiry Committee report on the mishap, noted that the Sarpanch “presided over meetings where the irregularities of the subject premises were either ignored or tacitly approved."

The report added that the establishment was initially operated in a temporary shed and later converted into a nightclub without any conversion sanad or approved building plans.