Nightclub fire: Co-owner Ajay Gupta detained in Delhi, to be questioned in Goa

Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, will be brought to Goa on Wednesday for detailed interrogation in connection with the fire accident in which 25 people died on December 6, officials said. Gupta was detained in Delhi after Goa Police issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) when a team failed to find him at his residence during their initial search. The LOC was issued to prevent him from leaving the country and alert immigration authorities, as investigators were seeking his cooperation in the probe.

A senior official said Gupta was traced after sustained follow-up efforts and detained in Delhi. “He will be flown to Goa on Wednesday for interrogation and will be placed under arrest after necessary formalities,” the official added.

Police believe Gupta’s questioning is significant, as investigators expect him to provide information on the nightclub’s operational practices, safety measures, and possible lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy. His statements may help piece together the sequence of events leading to the fire, though the exact cause will ultimately depend on forensic examinations, CCTV analysis and staff testimonies.

Meanwhile, two primary owners of the Arpora-based establishment, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, fled to Phuket, Thailand, shortly after the incident. Authorities have issued an Interpol Blue Corner Notice against them to help trace their movements. Another owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national, is also under scrutiny, with an LOC issued in his name.

So far, five individuals associated with the nightclub’s daily functioning have been arrested: chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, and employee Bharat Kohli. Police say these arrests relate to their operational roles and responsibility for safety compliance.

The fire broke out around midnight on December 6 at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, claiming 25 lives and triggering a major investigation into accountability and safety violations.