The three principal accused in the deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub surrendered before the Additional District and Sessions Court in Mapusa on Monday, following directions from the Supreme Court that the trio should present themselves to face trial.
What happened at the court
Nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, along with their business partner Ajay Gupta, appeared before the Mapusa court and were taken into custody after the court accepted their surrender and issued remand orders, Advocate Saumya Drago confirmed.
"While the court permitted their request regarding medicines and a mattress, it kept the request for special footwear pending, seeking a response from the investigating officer," said Advocate Saumya Drago.
Ms. Drago said an application had been filed seeking certain medical accommodations for her clients on the basis of their medical histories, prescriptions and records. The court allowed requests for medicines and a mattress but deferred a decision on special footwear, asking the investigating officer to respond. The matter is expected to be taken up on the next working day, she added.
Background to the case
The blaze at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, on 6 December 2025, claimed the lives of 25 people and injured several others. The incident prompted criminal proceedings against the club owners and associates, with the chargesheet listing multiple offences under the criminal law.
The chargesheet, as reported, includes allegations under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to:
- culpable homicide not amounting to murder;
- acts endangering human life;
- negligent conduct in relation to fire and combustible matter;
- forgery and use of forged documents as genuine;
- and other connected offences.
Legal trajectory before surrender
The trio had been granted bail by a lower court earlier but the Bombay High Court cancelled that bail on 18 August, citing the seriousness of the case and the need for further proceedings. The accused then appealed to the Supreme Court, which on 31 August dismissed their petitions challenging the High Court order and directed them to surrender within two weeks, while also instructing the trial court to expedite the trial process.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 December 2025 | Nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora; 25 fatalities |
| 18 August 2026 | Bombay High Court cancels bail for main accused |
| 31 August 2026 | Supreme Court dismisses appeals and directs surrender within two weeks |
| 14 September 2026 | Three accused surrender before Mapusa Additional Sessions Court; remanded |
Next steps in the trial
Following surrender and remand, the trial court has been asked to proceed expeditiously by the Supreme Court. Investigating agencies and the prosecution will be expected to produce the accused for trial hearings, and the court will consider the medical accommodation requests that were partly allowed and partly deferred.
The chargesheet's broad range of allegations — from culpable homicide and negligence to forgery — indicates the prosecution will pursue multiple lines of inquiry and evidence, including forensic reports, safety compliance records, witness statements and documentary proof about approvals and operations of the establishment.
Local impact and public interest
The surrender is a significant procedural milestone in a case that has drawn widespread public attention across Goa. Families of the victims and survivors will be watching the pace and conduct of court proceedings closely as they seek accountability in one of the state's deadliest recent accidents.
Authorities at the trial stage will need to balance prosecutorial urgency with adherence to legal procedure and the accused's rights, while ensuring that court timelines are not unduly delayed.
Further hearings are expected to be scheduled in the coming weeks as the trial court processes remand conditions and addresses outstanding applications, including the remaining medical accommodation request.
