PANAJI, A Goa court has rejected anticipatory bail applications filed by Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the fire-ravaged Romeo Lane nightclub Perch, in a case involving alleged forgery of documents to obtain an excise licence.
On Friday, the Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa rejected the petition filed by the brothers, lawyer Parag Rao said.
The Luthras own the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village in North Goa, where a fire broke out on December 6, 2025, killing 25 people and injuring 50 others.
The two brothers, who fled to Thailand after the fire and were deported from that country on December 17, are currently in Kulvali Central Prison in North Goa.
While Anjuna police were investigating the duo in connection with the fire, Mapusa police registered a case of forgery, accusing them of submitting forged documents to obtain a license from the tax department for the nightclub.
Speaking to reporters, Advocate Rao said that the judge declared rejection of the two anticipatory bail applications.
“We have not yet received the detailed ruling. We will have to study the matter. We did not expect it to be rejected,” he said.
He further noted that Ajay Gupta, another owner of the ill-fated nightclub, was granted bail by the court in connection with the fire and the same forgery case.
Rao said the brothers had confirmed that the alleged forged documents were in the possession of the police, so the authorities were not seeking their detention in this case.
He said his clients did not apply for the documents that were allegedly forged.
The health officer of Candolim Health Center had registered a case against the Luthras, alleging that they forged his signature to create a fake no-objection certificate and submit it to the excise department to obtain a license for the nightclub.
