MAPUSA
A health certificate used to obtain the initial trade licence for the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub was found to be forged, prompting Mapusa Police to register an FIR against the company owned by the Luthra brothers, in which Gaurav Luthra, Saurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta are directors.
The alleged forgery came to light during the proceedings of the Magisterial Inquiry Committee constituted by the State government to probe the deadly fire incident at the nightclub.
While examining the documents submitted by the establishment to secure statutory permissions, the committee detected irregularities in the health certificate submitted to the authorities.
According to officials, the health certificate was allegedly fabricated in 2024 by scanning and reproducing a document bearing the details and signature of the local health officer.
The Health Officer of the Candolim Primary Health Centre, Dr Roshan Nazareth, told the inquiry committee that he had never issued any health certificate to the company operating the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub.
Investigations further revealed that the same health certificate was used not only to obtain the trade licence but also to secure an excise licence and other mandatory permissions required for operating the nightclub.
Following the revelation, the Excise Department initiated a separate inquiry into the matter.
After verifying the authenticity of the document, the department concluded that the certificate was forged and subsequently lodged a formal complaint with the Mapusa Police.
Confirming the development, Mapusa Deputy Superintendent of Police Wilson D’Souza said that an FIR has been registered against the company in which the Luthra brothers and Ajay Gupta are listed as directors.
All three accused are in custody in connection with the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy.
Police said further investigation into the forgery and the role of the accused is underway.
The latest FIR adds to the growing list of criminal cases linked to the operation of the nightclub, as investigators continue to probe the circumstances leading to the fatal fire and the alleged misuse of forged documents to obtain licences and permissions.
