Goa nightclub fire: Detained third owner was 'sleeping partner'
What's the story
Ajay Gupta, one of the partners of the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa, has been taken into custody after a devastating fire killed 25 people. The incident occurred on Saturday night in Arpora village. According to The Indian Express, Gupta, who claims to be a "sleeping partner" and not involved in daily operations, was arrested from a private hospital in Delhi where he was being treated for a spinal issue.
Arrest details
Gupta's arrest and ongoing investigation
Gupta was arrested after the Goa Police discovered his ownership stake in the nightclub through property documents. He was taken to the Delhi Police Crime Branch office for further questioning after his discharge on Wednesday morning, and will be produced in court for a transit remand to Goa. The two main owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, are still at large and fled to Thailand hours after the incident.
Legal proceedings
Additional arrests and charges filed
The Goa Police have also arrested five other people associated with the club's management, including Bharat. The Luthra brothers have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering the lives and personal safety of others, and negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter. Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national who leased the property to the Luthras, has also been named as an accused in this case.
Club issues
Safety violations and environmental concerns at Birch
The club's operations have come under scrutiny for safety violations such as inadequate exits and a thatched roof. A fire department report revealed that highly combustible materials like stacks of alcohol contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The report said basements represent high-risk zones due to limited natural ventilation, delayed smoke stratification, restricted egress routes, and rapid accumulation of toxic combustion products such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.
Environmental impact
Environmental violations and political concerns
The club's construction on a salt pan has raised environmental concerns, with authorities sealing all three establishments owned by the Luthras in Goa. Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Sankalp Amonkar had previously raised concerns about illegal constructions in ecologically sensitive areas. Birch by Romeo Lane started operations in December 2023, but was operating without a No Objection Certificate at the time of the fire.