The District and Sessions Court in Goa on Friday dismissed an anticipatory bail application filed by the Luthra brothers – Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra – in the second case against them alleging that they had submitted false documents in their applications seeking permission to run Birch Bay Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, where a devastating fire killed 25 people on the intervening night of December 6-7.
“The judge passed an order denying anticipatory bail. We are yet to receive a copy of the order. We will decide on the future course of action once we do so,” said lawyer Parag Rao, who represents the brothers.
Read also: Nightclub fire in Goa: Court rejects bail application filed by Luthra brothers
The Arpora fire tragedy occurred in Birch next to Romeo Lane, an illegally operating nightclub, on the night between 6 and 7 December 2025, claiming the lives of 25 people. The brothers, who had flown to Thailand within hours of the tragedy, were returned to India after an Interpol notice was issued against them and their passports were suspended. They were subsequently arrested and have been in detention ever since.
25 people were killed – five tourists and 20 staff – after a fire allegedly caused by torches ignited by electricity as part of an ongoing dance show at the nightclub. Fireworks allegedly ignited the roof made of bamboo and other natural materials.
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 inflammable materials) 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 identified them in raids last month $22 crore worth of assets which it said were “proceeds of crime”.
