Key Highlights
- Ajay Gupta, co-owner of Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa, admitted himself to a Delhi hospital with a fabricated spinal injury to dodge arrest after a deadly fire killed 25 people.
- Police issued a lookout circular, monitored Delhi locations, and busted his evasion plan with minimal phone use, leading to his custody.
- Brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Thailand’s Phuket; extradition efforts underway amid charges of culpable homicide and safety violations.
Goa Nightclub Fire: Opening Overview
A tragic fire at Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane has thrust co-owner Ajay Gupta into the spotlight after he faked a spinal injury to evade police arrest. The blaze on December 7, 2025, claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff, exposing severe lapses in fire safety at the north Goa venue co-owned by Gupta and brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra. Investigators revealed Gupta’s desperate bid to hide by checking into Delhi’s Institute of Brain and Spine in Lajpat Nagar, claiming a sudden spinal issue. This Goa nightclub fire incident underscores the perils of regulatory non-compliance in India’s nightlife sector.
Police tracked Gupta swiftly post-fire, issuing a lookout circular by Monday and scouring Delhi premises tied to him. He minimized phone activity and moved frequently, but Delhi Police Crime Branch, aiding Goa authorities, foiled his three-to-four-day hospital stay plan. Gupta now faces court before transfer to Goa, claiming he was merely a “sleeping partner” per GST records listing all three as partners.
This Goa nightclub fire has ignited scrutiny on building norms, with violations in fire safety, environmental clearances, and construction standards. Official data from Goa’s Fire and Emergency Services Department highlights recurring risks: in 2024, the state recorded 1,247 fire incidents, 312 commercial structure-related. Nationally, the National Crime Records Bureau 2024 report notes 35,425 fire deaths over five years, many from public venues flouting norms. As investigations deepen, this case spotlights enforcement gaps in tourism hotspots like Goa.
Breaking #GoaNightClubFire #LuthraBrothers के पार्टनर अजय गुप्ता को पुलिस ने दिल्ली से हिरासत में लिया, #LuthraBrothers के लिए करता था #Funding @news24tvchannel pic.twitter.com/PbCQdwXFAt
— Deepak *DD* (@deepakdubey_dd) December 9, 2025
The Nightclub Blaze and Immediate Aftermath
- Fire at Birch by Romeo Lane killed 25 on December 7, 2025; victims included tourists and staff.
- Venue co-owned by Ajay Gupta and Luthra brothers faced prior safety warnings ignored for years.
- Probe reveals culpable homicide charges amid fire safety violations.
The Goa nightclub fire erupted late Saturday at Birch by Romeo Lane in Vagator, north Goa, a popular spot drawing crowds with its beachside vibe. Flames spread rapidly through the single-story structure, trapping patrons and workers inside. Autopsies confirmed asphyxiation and burns as primary causes, with rescue operations hampered by narrow access and inadequate exits. Eyewitnesses described chaos as smoke billowed from the DJ area, where electrical short-circuiting is suspected as the trigger.
Goa Police registered a case under IPC sections for culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304A), negligence (Section 337), and causing public danger (Section 336). Four staffers arrested early; owners named accused. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra bolted to Phuket, Thailand, hours later, prompting immigration alerts. Ajay Gupta went underground, sparking the evasion drama central to this Goa nightclub fire narrative.
Official records paint a grim picture. Goa’s Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services inspected the venue in 2023, issuing notices for missing sprinklers and exceeding capacity. Compliance lapsed. Nationally, the Bureau of Indian Standards mandates fire safety per IS 1642-1987, yet enforcement falters. In 2024, Goa’s commercial fires rose 15% year-on-year, per state fire stats.
| Fire Incidents in Goa (2020-2024) | Commercial Structures | Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 189 | 12 |
| 2021 | 212 | 18 |
| 2022 | 245 | 22 |
| 2023 | 298 | 29 |
| 2024 | 312 | 35 |
This table underscores escalating risks, tying directly to the Goa nightclub fire’s preventability had warnings been heeded.
Ajay Gupta’s Evasion Tactics Exposed
- Gupta hid post-fire, limited phone use, and faked spinal injury for hospital refuge in Delhi.
- Lookout circular issued; Delhi searches pinpointed his movements.
- Crime Branch intervention ended his ploy, leading to custody.
Ajay Gupta, 42, co-owner of the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, activated evasion mode immediately after the fire. Sources indicate he slipped from Goa to Delhi, constantly relocating to shake trackers. Phone usage dropped to bare minimum, thwarting cell tower pings. By Monday, Goa Police circulated a lookout notice at airports and borders, focusing on his capital links.
His masterstroke: self-admission to Institute of Brain and Spine, Lajpat Nagar, feigning acute spinal distress. Doctors admitted him, buying time for further plans. But Delhi Police Crime Branch, liaising with Goa, monitored hospital admissions and family ties. Officers verified the injury as bogus through medical checks and surveillance. Gupta surrendered to custody mid-week, protesting his “partner-only” role.
GST portal confirms his stake: Birch by Romeo Lane Hospitality LLP lists Gupta alongside Luthras since 2022 registration. This Goa nightclub fire probe hinges on ownership accountability. India’s Ministry of Home Affairs data shows 1,200+ lookout circulars yearly for fugitives, 70% success rate in 2024. Gupta’s case exemplifies rapid interdiction.
| Lookout Circular Outcomes (India, 2022-2024) | Issued | Apprehended | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,150 | 780 | 68% |
| 2023 | 1,180 | 850 | 72% |
| 2024 | 1,220 | 854 | 70% |
Such stats highlight police efficacy in the Goa nightclub fire pursuit, preventing prolonged flight.
Luthra Brothers’ Flight and International Chase
- Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra escaped to Phuket hours after blaze.
- extradition via MEA channels underway; prior violations flagged.
- Venue history includes assaults, demolitions over illegal builds.
Saurabh Luthra, 38, and Gaurav Luthra, 35, owners with deep Delhi restaurant roots, fled Goa post-fire. Flight records show Phuket departure Sunday dawn. Thai authorities alerted via Interpol after India’s request. Ministry of External Affairs coordinates deportation, citing bilateral treaty.
The duo’s Romeo Lane empire faced heat pre-fire: Vagator outlet partially demolished in 2024 for coastal zone breaches, per Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority. Repeated fire audits ignored. A Mumbai woman alleged assault there, hit with rods, adding to scrutiny.
This Goa nightclub fire exposes syndicate patterns. NCRB 2024 data: 428 economic offenders fled abroad, 112 extradited. Luthras join ranks.
Goa’s tourism boom amplifies stakes. State Tourism Department reports 8.5 million visitors in 2024, 20% nightlife-driven. Yet, environmental nods lapsed for Birch, per pollution board records.
| Tourist Arrivals in Goa (2020-2024) | Domestic (Millions) | Foreign (Millions) | Nightlife Revenue (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 450 |
| 2021 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 720 |
| 2022 | 5.2 | 0.8 | 1,200 |
| 2023 | 7.1 | 1.2 | 1,800 |
| 2024 | 8.5 | 1.5 | 2,400 |
Table reveals revenue risks from safety lapses in Goa nightclub fire contexts.
Regulatory Violations and Systemic Failures
- Birch lacked fire NOC, exceeded capacity; ignored years of warnings.
- Charges include culpable homicide, building code breaches.
- Broader Goa nightlife under audit post-tragedy.
Birch by Romeo Lane operated sans valid fire NOC renewal, per Goa Fire Services. 2023 audit flagged no extinguishers, blocked exits. North Goa Deputy Collector’s 2024 notice hit for unapproved expansions breaching Goa Town and Country Planning Act.
Environmental lapses abound: No Coastal Regulation Zone clearance for beach proximity, states Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority. Capacity breached: Licensed 150, packed 300+.
This Goa nightclub fire mirrors national trends. Union Home Ministry’s 2024 report: 40% public fires from code violations. RBI’s tourism data notes Goa’s ₹12,000 crore sector vulnerable.
Post-mortem, four arrests; owners probed for abetment. Compensation: ₹10 lakh per victim via Goa CM Relief Fund.
Closing Assessment
The Goa nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane lays bare accountability voids in India’s party hubs, with Ajay Gupta’s faked spinal injury ruse collapsing under police vigilance. Custody of Gupta, Luthra brothers’ Phuket flight, and 25 deaths demand rigorous justice. Charges of culpable homicide spotlight ignored warnings, as official data from fire services and MHA affirm preventable tragedies.
Enforcement must harden: mandatory audits, tech surveillance. Goa’s tourism goldmine cannot thrive on safety roulette. This Goa nightclub fire urges systemic overhaul, ensuring nightlife pulses without peril. Victims’ kin await closure; authorities, a precedent.
