Court grants bail in forged health certificate case; release likely to reignite debate over accountability
MAPUSA
In a significant development in one of Goa’s deadliest fire tragedies, the Luthra brothers – Saurabh and Gaurav, key accused and owners of the ill-fated Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub – walked out of jail on Wednesday after securing bail in the forged documents case, bringing an end to over three months of incarceration.
The Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court granted bail to the duo in the health NOC certificate forgery case registered by the Mapusa Police. The court directed their release upon the execution of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.
Their release assumes significance as it clears the last legal hurdle that had kept them behind bars, despite having earlier secured bail in the main Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy case.
The fire, which tore through the popular nightclub earlier this year, claimed 25 lives and sent shockwaves across the State, raising serious questions over safety compliance and regulatory oversight.
The Luthra brothers were arrested in the aftermath of the tragedy as investigations pointed to multiple alleged violations, including the use of forged documents to secure mandatory clearances.
Police had specifically booked them in the forgery case for allegedly fabricating a health No Objection Certificate (NOC), a key document required for the operation of such establishments.
While they managed to obtain bail in the primary case related to the fire, their continued detention was on account of the separate forgery offence, which investigators argued indicated deliberate attempts to bypass safety norms.
Following the court’s order on Wednesday morning, the brothers completed the necessary formalities and were released from Colvale jail later in the evening.
Their release is likely to stir fresh debate, especially among victims’ families and civil society groups who have consistently demanded stringent accountability in the case.
The tragedy had not only exposed glaring lapses in enforcement but also triggered a wider crackdown on nightlife establishments across Goa.
With the Luthra brothers now out on bail in both cases, the focus is expected to shift to the trial proceedings, which will ultimately determine culpability in a case that continues to haunt the State’s conscience.
Fresh blow: ED attaches Rs 17.45 cr assets of Luthras
PANAJI: In a setback to the Luthra brothers soon after securing bail in two cases, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 17.45 crore approx in the alleged illegal operation of the Arpora-based establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” owned by them.
The action comes even as Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were granted bail in the culpable homicide and forgery cases – a fresh development in the probe into the fatal fire incident of December 6, 2025.
As per the ED, the action has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, based on FIRs registered by Goa Police at Anjuna and Mapusa police stations against the Luthras and others under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The FIRs pertain to the fire tragedy that claimed 25 lives and left several others injured, as well as alleged large-scale forgery and fabrication of statutory documents, including No Objection Certificates (NOCs), to obtain regulatory clearances.
The ED investigation has revealed that the establishment was operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without mandatory approvals, including a valid Fire NOC. The agency further stated that forged documents, including a fake Health NOC and a fabricated Police Clearance Certificate, were allegedly submitted to authorities to secure licences.
The investigation team also found that the partners continued commercial operations despite the expiry of key licences. The trade licence had lapsed on March 31, 2024, and was not renewed, yet the establishment allegedly remained operational in violation of statutory norms.
The ED has identified proceeds of crime to the tune of approximately Rs 29.78 crore, generated from the establishment’s operations between FY 2023–24 and December 6, 2025.
Earlier, searches conducted on January 23, 2026, at multiple premises linked to the entity led to the seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices, besides the freezing of bank accounts amounting to around Rs 59 lakh. Further investigation is in progress.
