Forgery case keeps nightclub owners in police custody
MAPUSA
More than two months after the devastating Arpora nightclub inferno that claimed 25 lives, the high-profile Luthra brothers secured conditional bail on Wednesday in the main case – though their release remains stalled as they continue to be in custody in a parallel forgery case.
In a significant development, the Additional District and Sessions Court at Mapusa granted conditional bail to Gaurav and Saurav Luthra, owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, where the tragic fire broke out on December 6, 2025.
The court allowed their release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each along with two sureties of the like amount.
Confirming the development, defence counsel Parag Rao said, “Finally, the bail has been granted. It is a conditional bail with the usual terms. We are yet to receive a copy of the detailed order, but the court has pronounced its decision.”
However, despite the relief in the primary case, the brothers are unlikely to walk free immediately.
They remain in Mapusa police custody in connection with a separate alleged forgery case involving fabrication of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate the nightclub.
Rao clarified that the defence has chosen not to pursue anticipatory bail in the forgery matter and has instead filed a regular bail application before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa.
“We have moved a regular bail plea in the JMFC court. The matter is expected to come up for hearing shortly,” he said.
The JMFC had, on March 30, remanded the duo to five days of police custody to facilitate further investigation into the alleged fake NOC.
Police are probing the authenticity of documents submitted to various departments, which allegedly enabled the club to function despite regulatory lapses.
The Luthra brothers were arrested on December 16, 2025, at Delhi airport by Goa Police after being deported from Thailand.
The Arpora fire – one of the deadliest nightlife disasters in recent years – has since drawn intense scrutiny over safety compliance, licensing procedures and enforcement failures.
Authorities have filed a voluminous chargesheet exceeding 4,000 pages, detailing alleged violations ranging from culpable homicide to forgery of official documents.
Legal observers note that while the grant of bail in the main case marks a key turning point, the outcome of the forgery case could significantly influence the brothers’ immediate future.
With multiple legal battles still unfolding, the case continues to remain in sharp public focus, raising broader questions about accountability and regulatory oversight in Goa’s hospitality sector.
