The Bombay High Court’s Goa Bench on Tuesday cancelled the bail granted to three co‑owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub that was gutted by a fire on December 6, 2025, killing 25 people, and directed the accused to surrender within two weeks, Bar & Bench reported.
High Court sets aside earlier bail order
Justice Neela Gokhale allowed an appeal filed by the State of Goa challenging an order of the additional sessions court at Mapusa that had granted bail to Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta. The bench cancelled the bail and directed the three accused to surrender to the authorities within a fortnight. The court, while cancelling bail, granted them liberty to file fresh applications before the sessions court.
The case concerns the blaze that broke out at the Birch nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, on the night of December 6, 2025. Police investigations stated the venue was operating without valid safety clearances and lacked adequate firefighting equipment when the fire occurred. The fire was reportedly sparked during an indoor fire show held without necessary precautions, the police have said.
Charges and investigation so far
According to prosecution records cited by the court, the Luthra brothers fled to Thailand hours after the blaze and were subsequently deported and arrested by Goa Police. The accused — including other partners, the club’s manager, event organisers and staff — were booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for offences including:
- Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- Acts endangering life
- Negligent conduct with respect to fire
- Offences read with common intention
Police are also separately probing allegations that documents were forged to procure operating licences for the establishment.
Legal implications and next steps
The High Court’s order removes interim liberty previously granted to the three named owners and compels them to present themselves before the criminal justice system. By allowing them to apply again for bail before the sessions court, the bench preserved their statutory right to seek judicial relief at the trial court level.
For the prosecution, the cancellation reinforces the state’s contention that the accused should not enjoy interim freedom while a trial for serious offences involving loss of life and allegations of criminal negligence and forgery proceeds.
| Accused | Role | Present order |
|---|---|---|
| Saurabh Luthra | Co‑owner, Birch by Romeo Lane | Bail cancelled; surrender within two weeks |
| Gaurav Luthra | Co‑owner, Birch by Romeo Lane | Bail cancelled; surrender within two weeks |
| Ajay Gupta | Co‑owner, Birch by Romeo Lane | Bail cancelled; surrender within two weeks |
Background: fire, casualties and alleged lapses
The December tragedy prompted intensive investigations by Goa Police after the blaze claimed 25 lives. Authorities said the club lacked valid trade and safety licences and did not have adequate firefighting equipment on site. The alleged ignition source was an indoor fire show conducted without prescribed precautions. The discovery that the venue may have been operating without proper permits has become a focal point in both criminal and administrative probes.
In response to the fire, officials had come under pressure to tighten oversight of nightlife venues and entertainment events across the state. The case has highlighted questions about licence verification, fire safety enforcement and the liability of event organisers and proprietors for shows involving pyrotechnics or open flames in enclosed spaces.
What this means for victims' families and public safety
The High Court order is likely to be watched closely by the families of those who died and by public safety advocates in Goa. Cancellation of bail could expedite the trial process if it reduces the risk of non‑appearance and strengthens the prosecution’s position during hearings on charge framing and evidence.
Investigations into alleged forgery of documents remain ongoing, and further charges could follow if authorities find evidence of systematic lapses in licensing or compliance.
The report on the order was published by Bar & Bench. The state had appealed the Mapusa sessions court’s bail order before the High Court.
