Luthra Brothers Claim Victim Status in Fatal Goa Nightclub Fire: Details of Their Pre-Arrest Bail Plea

New Delhi: The Luthra brothers have claimed to be victims in the devastating fire tragedy that engulfed their Goa nightclub last Sunday. The blaze at 'Birch' by Romeo Lane pub in Arpora claimed at least 25 lives during a midnight party event.

Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the nightclub owners, had fled to Thailand anticipating arrest as investigations began. Simultaneously, they approached a Delhi court seeking pre-arrest bail and permission to return to India.

In their petition accessed by NDTV, the Luthras argued that criminal liability cannot be attributed to them as they were not physically present at the nightclub when the fire erupted.

The court has declined immediate relief to the brothers and requested a police response. The case will continue proceedings tomorrow.

Senior advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir, representing the Luthras, stated that the nightclub operates under their partners and managers. He explained that the brothers have three business partners and manage several business entities without personally overseeing daily operations of any specific establishment.

According to the defense, franchise managers handle operations, including at the club where the fire occurred. The advocate argued that criminal responsibility should fall on those conducting operations—the partners or managers—not the Luthras themselves. He noted that operational managers had already been arrested in connection with the incident.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, also part of the brothers' defense team, made what he called a "simple" request—that his clients be permitted to return to India and approach the local Goa court. "They too are victims. I am also concerned and hurt by this incident," the senior advocate stated.

The prosecution countered that the case was not appropriate for trial.

Goa Police have already arrested Ajay Gupta, one of the partners and co-owners of the 'Birch' by Romeo Lane club. He had attempted to evade arrest by faking a spinal injury and admitting himself to a hospital. This strategy proved unsuccessful. While being taken into custody, Gupta told NDTV that he was merely a "sleeping (silent) partner" of the Luthras.

Four additional staff members from the nightclub, including a manager, have also been arrested in connection with the case.