Goa Inferno: Sleeping Partner Ajay Gupta Sent to 7-Day Police Custody

Panaji — Delhi-based businessman Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of the fire-ravaged nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane” in Goa, has been remanded to seven days of police custody as investigations into the tragic blaze continue.

Gupta’s counsel, Advocate Rohan Dessai, stated, “Ajay Gupta is fully cooperating with the investigation. The Goa Police sought 10 days of custody, but the court granted seven. Since the investigation is ongoing, it is not possible to comment on his specific role at this stage.”

Gupta, described as a sleeping partner of principal owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, was arrested on Wednesday. With his arrest, police confirmed that six individuals have now been taken into custody in connection with the case.

Earlier in the day, authorities in Thailand detained the Luthra brothers, who had left India shortly after the massive fire that claimed 25 lives at the Arpora-based nightclub. Known for running the Romeo Lane restaurant chain across multiple countries, the brothers reportedly travelled to Phuket just hours after the tragedy.

They are facing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with serious allegations of negligence. Indian authorities are preparing a formal request for their deportation so they can be brought back to Goa for trial, according to NDTV. Officials confirmed that the brothers’ passports have been suspended, in line with Section 10A of the Passports Act, 1967, which allows the Central government or designated officers to suspend passports in criminal matters.

Suspended passports cannot be used to leave the country, and restoration requires compliance with legal or court directives. Sources indicated that the next step may be cancellation of the Luthras’ passports. NDTV reported that their deportation could occur within 24 hours, with Indian officials already en route to Thailand to bring them back.

The devastating fire broke out late Saturday night during a music event attended by nearly 100 people, including many tourists. Videos from the night show performers dancing to Bollywood songs moments before the blaze erupted. The suspected trigger was the use of electric firecrackers during the performance.

The club turned into a fatal trap due to extensive flammable décor, absence of fire extinguishers, non-functional alarm systems, and poor adherence to fire safety norms. Complicating the rescue, the narrow access road prevented fire engines from approaching the venue; they had to be stationed nearly 400 metres away, severely slowing operations.

By the time firefighters subdued the inferno, 25 people had died — five tourists and twenty staff members. Most victims were found in the basement, having succumbed to toxic smoke inhalation.

With inputs from IANS