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Goa court denies bail to Luthra brothers in forgery case linked to Birch nightclub fire

Goa court denies bail to Luthra brothers in forgery case linked to Birch nightclub fire that killed 25; probe into ₹22 crore assets continues.

Published on: Mar 27, 2026, 18:58:31 IST
By , Panaji
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The district and sessions court in Goa on Friday denied an application for anticipatory bail filed by the Luthra brothers — Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — in a second case filed against them alleging they submitted forged documents in the applications they filed for permission to run Birch by Romeo Lane, the Goa nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 people on the intervening night of December 6 and 7.

Anticipatory bail rejected for Luthra brothers in second FIR over forged documents in Goa nightclub fire case that left 25 dead.
Anticipatory bail rejected for Luthra brothers in second FIR over forged documents in Goa nightclub fire case that left 25 dead.

“The judge has passed an order denying anticipatory bail. We are yet to receive a copy of the order. We will decide on a future course of action once we do,” Adv Parag Rao, representing the brothers, said.

Also Read: Goa nightclub fire: Court rejects Luthra brothers’ bail plea

The Arpora fire tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane, an illegally operating nightclub, occurred on the intervening night of December 6 and 7, 2025, and claimed 25 lives. The brothers, who had flown to Thailand within hours of the tragedy, were repatriated to India after an Interpol notice was issued against them and their passports were suspended. They were subsequently arrested and have been in custody since.

The FIR, filed on December 7, charges them under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 125(a) and (b) (endangering life and personal safety), and 287 (negligent conduct with fire or combustible matter) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A second FIR alleging cheating and forgery has also been filed against the Luthras and Ajay Gupta for allegedly fabricating documents as part of the application process.

The brothers are also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, which, in raids conducted last month, identified around ₹22 crore in assets that it said were “proceeds of crime.”

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gerard de Souza

Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.

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