Goa Nightclub Co-Owner Arrested: Claims "Only Sleeping Partner" Role in Deadly Fire Incident

NDTV confronted Gupta during his arrest.

New Delhi:

Ajay Gupta, co-owner of 'Birch' by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives, was apprehended on Tuesday after admitting himself to the Institute of Brain and Spine in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar. Authorities reported that Gupta arrived at the hospital in an Innova vehicle bearing Haryana registration, driven by his chauffeur.

When NDTV approached Gupta during his arrest, he claimed, "I'm only a sleeping partner with the Luthras, nothing else."

A GST document obtained by NDTV verifies Gupta's business relationship with the Luthra brothers.

After evading a Goa police team that searched his residence, prompting authorities to issue a lookout notice, Gupta will soon appear before the Saket Court.

Goa Police are requesting a transit remand for Gupta. Once granted, he will be transported to Goa for additional questioning.

Fellow nightclub owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra remain fugitives, with a blue corner notice issued against them. Immigration officials at Mumbai airport discovered they departed for Phuket, Thailand, on an IndiGo flight at 5:30 am Sunday—merely hours after the tragedy occurred. The brothers were reportedly in Delhi when the incident unfolded.

Police forces from Delhi and Goa are collaboratively conducting searches at potential hideouts and connections associated with the Luthra brothers.

The fatal incident occurred during a musical event at the Goa nightclub, with footage showing massive flames and smoke engulfing the venue. Additional video evidence captures a performer dancing to the popular Sholay song 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' when flames initially appear on the ceiling. While the exact cause remains under investigation, fireworks during the musical performance are suspected to have ignited the blaze.

Authorities have registered charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence, and actions endangering safety.

Four nightclub staff members have been detained thus far, including the manager. Officials from various government departments responsible for issuing permits and licenses to the establishment have been called for interrogation to examine potential regulatory violations and procedural irregularities.