Goa Nightclub Fire: One of four owners arrested; says “I was only a business partner”.

Panaji/New Delhi – 15 minutes ago
The accused was brought to Delhi Crime Branch office. He had covered his face with a mask, cap and hoodie jacket. – Dainik Bhaskar

One of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, where a fire on 6 December claimed 25 lives, has been taken into custody. The accused has been identified as Ajay Gupta, a resident of Delhi. Goa Police detained him from Delhi itself on Wednesday.

Goa Police is interrogating the accused at the Delhi Crime Branch office. He will be produced in Saket Court today. After transit remand formalities, he is likely to be formally arrested. While being taken to the Crime Branch office, the accused had hidden his face with a mask, cap and hoodie jacket.

When questioned by the media, he said – “I am only a business partner. I don’t know anything more than that.”
Meanwhile, the other two owners of the club – brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra – have filed anticipatory bail applications in Delhi’s Rohini Court. Hearing on the petition may take place today.

Romeo Lane club owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.

Both brothers fled to Thailand from Delhi just hours after the fire, on 7 December. The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) has issued Blue Corner notices against both brothers. A Lookout Circular (LOC) has been issued against the fourth owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, who is a British citizen.

At the time of the incident, a party was going on downstairs in the club. Smoke filled the premises after fire broke out on the roof, causing people to suffocate.

**Police caught Ajay Gupta from a Delhi hospital**

According to Goa Police, Ajay Gupta had a major financial partnership in Birch by club. He had invested a large amount in the Luthra brothers’ club. A lookout circular had been issued against Gupta. When the police team reached Gupta’s house in Delhi, he was not found there.

At the time of the incident, a party was going on downstairs in the club. Fire broke out on the roof, filling the place with smoke, due to which people suffocated.

Subsequently, a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him. Later, his location was traced to the Institute of Brain and Spine Hospital in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi. Sources say Gupta had gone to the hospital in an Innova car with Haryana number plate along with his driver.

He had admitted himself citing health issues related to his spine. After medical examination, he was taken into custody. Gupta will be questioned regarding the club’s management in Goa, operational responsibilities and compliance with fire safety rules.

Police have arrested 5 people so far in the nightclub fire case. Those arrested include Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli.

On Tuesday, the administration carried out bulldozer action on the second club of the chain. Goa CM Pramod Sawant had ordered the demolition of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra’s Romeo Lane beach shack in Vagator.

The Deputy Director of Goa Tourism said that encroachment will be removed from the beach side. He informed that the total area being demolished is 198 square metres.

**The administration demolished the encroachment of Romeo Lane’s second club in Vagator, Goa.**

**Government forms four-member magisterial inquiry committee**

The Goa government on Monday constituted a four-member magisterial inquiry committee to probe the incident. The Goa government has issued new advisories for nightclubs, restaurants, bars and event venues.

Meanwhile, the real landowner Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar told news agency ANW that the club was illegally built on salt pans. The matter has been pending in court for 20 years