Goa nightclub fire: Bombay High Court cancels bail of owners

The Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday cancelled the bail granted to Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta, the three co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which was gutted by a fire in December 2025 killing 25 people [State of Goa v. Saurabh Luthra and connected]

Justice Neela Gokhale allowed an appeal filed by the State of Goa challenging the bail granted by additional sessions court at Mapusa in North Goa. 

The judge directed all three accused to surrender before the authorities within two weeks. 

The Court also granted them liberty to file fresh bail applications before the sessions court. 

The case relates to the fire that broke out on the night of December 6, 2025 at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora. 

The fire led to the death of 25 people.

Police investigations revealed that the club operated without valid safety clearances or adequate firefighting equipment. The blaze was reportedly sparked by an indoor fire show conducted without necessary precautions. The police have also claimed that the restaurant was functioning without a valid trade license. 

The Luthra brothers fled to Thailand hours after the blaze before they were later deported and arrested by Goa Police.

They were booked along with other partners, the club’s manager, event organisers and staff under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offences including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering life and negligent conduct with respect to fire, read with common intention.

The police are also separately probing allegations that the owners forged documents to illegally procure operating licenses for the establishment.