Rohan Umak
Goa nightclub fire case: A district court in Goa’s Mapusa on Monday granted bail to Ajay Gupta, co-owner of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, where an inferno broke out in December 2025, claiming the lives of 25 people. Notably, the police had arrested Gupta from Delhi nearly three months ago, and he was let off on a surety of Rs 50,000 by the court. The court also imposed strict conditions on Gupta, including surrendering his passport and seeking prior permission before travelling abroad.
Goa nightclub fire case: Defence cites shortcomings in evidence
Arguing for bail, defence counsel Rohan Desai told the court that the prosecution had failed to establish Gupta’s direct involvement in the tragedy. He also pointed out that the extensive 4,150-page chargesheet did not attribute any specific role to his client, Gupta. Desai further dismissed allegations of document forgery as ‘unfounded,’ asserting that the case against Gupta lacked substantive evidence. While granting bail, the court also directed the accused not to tamper with evidence during the course of the trial.
Blaze broke out on intervening night of December 6-7
The fire broke out around midnight on December 6 at the nightclub located in Goa’s Arpora, a popular tourist hub in the Northern end of the city. The incident resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including the club’s 20 staffers and five tourists, sending shockwaves across the state.
In the aftermath of the incident, the police launched a probe and arrested 13 individuals, including the owners of the establishment identified as Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta.
4,000 page chargesheet filed in Feb 2026
On February 27, 2026, the authorities filed a chargesheet running into over 4,000 pages, naming all 13 accused. The investigation carried statements from more than 300 witnesses, highlighting the scale and complexity of the probe.
Case still far from over
Despite the relief granted to Gupta, legal experts suggest the trial will be closely watched, owing to the magnitude of the tragedy and the public outcry that followed. It is noteworthy that the incident remains one of the deadliest fire mishaps in Goa in recent years, with accountability and safety regulations still under scrutiny.
Shubh Laabh