PANAJI
A local court in Goa today granted conditional bail to brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in connection with the December fire at the Arpora establishment that claimed 25 lives.
The Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa granted bail to the duo after they spent nearly three-and-a-half months in judicial custody. However, the brothers will continue to remain in custody in connection with a separate forgery case linked to the establishment.
Speaking to the media, advocate Parag Rao, representing the Luthras, said the bail comes with standard conditions, including a surety of ₹50,000 and a personal bond of ₹50,000.
“We are yet to receive a copy of the judgment. Once available, we will understand the grounds on which bail has been granted,” Rao said, adding that a bail application has also been filed in the second FIR related to the alleged forgery case.
The police had filed a chargesheet last month against 13 accused, including the Luthra brothers, in connection with the fire. The chargesheet alleged that the “irresponsible acts” of the accused led to “irreparable loss” and shattered 25 families, highlighting gross criminal negligence, disregard for human life, and failure to adhere to statutory safety norms.
The brothers have been booked 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 combustible matter) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In a separate FIR, the Luthra brothers, along with Ajay Gupta, have also been accused of cheating and forgery for allegedly fabricating documents during the licence application process.
