Supreme Court Upholds Cancellation of Bail for Three Owners of Goa Nightclub Where 25 Died in Fire

Supreme Court Rejects Bail Appeal of Goa Nightclub Owners

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to restore the bail granted to the three co-owners of Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, upholding the Bombay High Court's order to cancel their bail. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed the appeals filed by Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta, according to ANI.

The court directed the three accused to surrender before the authorities within two weeks and asked the trial court to expedite the framing of charges in the case. The order effectively ends the legal challenge mounted by the owners against the cancellation of their bail.

Background of the Case

The nightclub, located in Arpora, North Goa, was the site of a devastating fire on the night of December 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 people. The incident sparked a police investigation into the establishment's operations.

According to the prosecution, the nightclub was being operated without the requisite safety clearances and adequate firefighting arrangements. The investigation alleged that the blaze was triggered by an indoor fire performance conducted without adequate safety precautions. The establishment was also allegedly operating without a valid trade licence.

Following the incident, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra allegedly left India for Thailand. They were subsequently deported and arrested by Goa Police. The three accused were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering human life, and negligent conduct with respect to fire, read with other relevant sections.

Bail Proceedings

The Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa had initially granted bail to the accused. Ajay Gupta was granted bail on March 23, while the Luthra brothers were granted bail on April 1. The Goa government challenged these orders before the Bombay High Court.

On August 19, the High Court allowed the State's appeals and cancelled the bail granted to the accused. The three owners subsequently moved the Supreme Court against that decision. With Monday's ruling, the Supreme Court has declined to interfere with the High Court's cancellation of bail, and the owners must now surrender within two weeks.