Goa Daily

The investigation into the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6 , has entered a critical phase with multiple stakeholders being examined and legal scrutiny intensifying. The incident, one of the deadliest nightclub fires in recent years, has raised serious concerns regarding fire safety compliance, property ownership disputes, and regulatory oversight. As authorities work to establish accountability, developments over the past week indicate a widening scope of inquiry involving property ownership, operational legality, and administrative lapses. Property Owner Appears Before Anjuna Police On December 29, 2025 , Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar appeared before Anjuna police in connection with the case. Amonkar stated that he has been the owner of the property since 1994 and contested the legitimacy of the nightclub’s operations on the premises. According to Amonkar, a sale agreement executed in 2004 with businessman Surinder...

The magisterial inquiry into the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, has submitted a detailed report to the Goa government, outlining systemic failures and recommending corrective measures. The inquiry report, which spans 108 pages along with more than 500 pages of annexures and witness statements, presents 60 specific recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Officials familiar with the report said it provides a department-wise assessment of lapses and prescribes actions required to strengthen fire safety compliance, regulatory oversight, and inter-departmental coordination. Inquiry Details Lapses Across Multiple Departments According to senior government officials, the report identifies shortcomings across various departments responsible for licensing, inspections, fire safety enforcement, and crowd management. Each recommendation is mapped to a specific authority, ensuring clarity on acc...

A Goa court on Friday extended the police custody of brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where 25 people were killed in a devastating fire earlier this month. The extension was granted by the Judicial Magistrate First Class of the Mapusa court, following a request by the investigating agency. The tragic fire broke out on December 6 at the nightclub located in Arpora village, North Goa, triggering widespread outrage and raising serious questions about fire safety norms, crowd management, and regulatory oversight in nightlife establishments. Custody Extended After Initial Remand Ends The Luthra brothers were produced before the court after the expiry of their initial 10-day police remand. Their advocate informed the court that the accused did not oppose the extension of custody and expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. According to police officials, the brothers are currently lodged in Anjuna police custody and...

In a significant development, Goa Police have begun the process to obtain a Blue Corner Notice against Surinder Kumar Khosla , a British national accused in the devastating December 6 nightclub fire in Arpora , which resulted in the tragic loss of 25 lives . Senior police officials confirmed the move on Saturday, stating that coordination with Central agencies is currently underway. The fire, which broke out at the popular nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane , shocked the state and raised serious concerns over fire safety, licensing norms, and accountability within Goa’s nightlife industry. Accused Allegedly Fled India After Incident According to police sources, Khosla was present in Goa when the fire occurred but is believed to have left for the United Kingdom on December 7 , just a day after the incident. Investigators suspect his departure was an attempt to evade legal proceedings. “We have initiated the formal process to issue a Blue Corner Notice to locate and bring him back from ...

The Luthra brothers, accused in connection with the deadly Goa nightclub fire incident, were brought to the North Goa District Hospital on Tuesday for mandatory medical examination under police escort. Officials confirmed that the accused were taken to the casualty ward, where routine medical checks were conducted as part of standard legal procedure following custody. The development comes amid ongoing investigations into the fire incident, which had resulted in casualties and raised serious concerns over safety compliance at entertainment establishments in the state. Police Escort and Hospital Protocols Followed Goa Police escorted the accused to the hospital to ensure completion of medical formalities required under criminal procedure laws. Hospital authorities carried out examinations to assess the physical condition of the accused, a step considered mandatory before extended police custody or further interrogation. Officials familiar with the process stated that such medical checks...

The owners of the nightclub linked to the deadly Goa fire incident were produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi after being deported from Thailand. The accused, identified as the Luthra brothers, were brought to the national capital where Goa Police took them into custody and initiated further legal procedures. The development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the fire incident that resulted in loss of lives and raised serious concerns over safety compliance. Deportation From Thailand and Police Custody According to officials, the accused were deported from Thailand following coordination between Indian authorities and foreign agencies. Upon their arrival in Delhi, Goa Police formally took custody of the Luthra brothers and completed the necessary legal documentation. Sources said the process was carried out in accordance with established legal protocols before the accused were presented before the court. Presentation Before Patiala House Court A...

  The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ in North Goa’s Arpora village, are expected to arrive in India after being deported from Bangkok, according to official sources. Upon their arrival at the Delhi Airport, they will be taken into custody by a team from the Goa Police, marking a significant development in the investigation into the devastating fire that occurred on the night of December 6, 2025. Senior police officials have confirmed that all procedures related to custody transfer are being carried out in accordance with established legal protocols. Transit Remand to Facilitate Transfer to Goa Following their apprehension at the airport, the Goa Police will produce both accused before a Delhi court to seek transit remand. This legal process is necessary to obtain judicial authorisation to move the accused from Delhi to Goa, where the case is registered and further investigation is ongoing. Officials stated that securin...

  The investigation into the devastating Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives has taken a significant turn with the detention of the Luthra brothers—Saurabh and Gaurav—in Thailand. The duo, who had fled India following the incident, were traced by international agencies and apprehended at a detention centre in Phuket. Their subsequent transfer to Bangkok marks a major step in the ongoing process to bring them back to India for legal proceedings. As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prepares to take custody, this development has generated widespread attention, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the demand for accountability. A Critical Breakthrough in a Nationwide Tragedy The Goa nightclub fire shocked the nation when it resulted in the deaths of 25 people and injuries to several others. Preliminary findings pointed towards severe safety violations, lack of emergency infrastructure, and negligence in managing crowd capacity. As public pressure mounted, authorit...

The investigation into the Goa nightclub fire incident has entered a crucial phase with the police detaining one of the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora. Authorities have also issued lookout circulars for the Luthra Brothers and other individuals linked to the establishment. The case, which has raised serious concerns about safety compliance and operational accountability in nightlife venues, continues to unfold with new evidence and statements emerging. The fire incident, which triggered widespread public outcry and scrutiny of Goa’s hospitality sector, has compelled the state police to launch a multi-layered investigation. The focus now lies not just on the operational lapses within the nightclub but also on the ownership structure, financial documentation, and administrative responsibility. Ajay Gupta Detained: First Statement Recorded Among the four listed owners of the nightclub, Ajay Gupta became the first to be detained for questioning. Speaking to News18...

In a significant development in the Birch by Romeo Lane fire case, Goa Police—working in close coordination with Delhi Police—have successfully traced and detained Ajay Gupta, one of the primary accused. The fire tragedy, which raised serious concerns about public safety compliance and operational standards at the establishment, has remained under rigorous investigation. Gupta’s detention is an important step forward in bringing clarity and accountability to the case. Absconding Accused Traced After LOC and Arrest Warrant Investigators had earlier visited Gupta’s residence in Goa, where he was found missing. With no cooperation forthcoming and his location unknown, authorities issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) along with an arrest warrant to prevent any attempt to leave the country. This procedural escalation reflected the seriousness of the investigation and the need to ensure that every key individual connected to the case faced due process. Inter-State Coordination Leads to Swift ...