Goa Police have arrested Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, in connection with alleged forgery and licensing irregularities, as investigations continue into the devastating blaze that claimed 25 lives earlier this month.
Gupta was taken into custody after police registered a case alleging that he forged a health department No Objection Certificate (NOC) to secure an excise licence for the nightclub. Following his arrest, he was produced before a local court in Mapusa, which remanded him to five days of police custody for further interrogation.
Claims of being a “sleeping partner”
During earlier questioning, Gupta had claimed that he was merely a “sleeping partner” in the business and had no direct involvement in the club’s day-to-day operations. He had placed responsibility for regulatory compliance on the other owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.
However, investigators allege that crucial approvals required to operate the nightclub were either missing or fraudulently obtained. Police sources say Gupta’s arrest is part of a broader effort to establish individual accountability in what has emerged as one of Goa’s deadliest nightlife tragedies.
Probe widens into owners and associates
The arrest comes amid a sweeping crackdown on alleged regulatory violations across Goa’s nightlife industry. So far, multiple owners and associates linked to Birch by Romeo Lane have been questioned or detained.
Last week, the Luthra brothers, who had reportedly gone absconding after the incident, were brought back to India after being detained in Thailand. Authorities coordinated with international agencies to ensure their return, signalling the seriousness with which the case is being pursued.
Police have alleged that the nightclub was operating in violation of several safety norms, including fire safety and structural regulations. Investigators believe that overcrowding and the absence of proper emergency exits worsened the impact of the blaze.
Fire tragedy and international angle
The fire broke out during peak hours, trapping patrons inside the crowded venue. Most of the victims are believed to have died due to toxic smoke inhalation, according to preliminary findings.
In a parallel development, Goa Police have sought a Blue Corner Notice through Interpol against landowner Surinder Khosla, an Indian-origin British national. Khosla allegedly fled to the United Kingdom soon after the tragedy. Investigators say his custodial questioning is crucial to determine responsibility for structural modifications and compliance with fire safety norms at the property.
As the investigation deepens, authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against all those found responsible, with the aim of preventing such tragedies in the future.