PORVORIM: The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the cancellation of bail granted to three accused in the deadly Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire case in Arpora, Goa.
A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu dismissed the pleas filed by Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta, challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to cancel their bail.
The Supreme Court has directed all three accused to surrender before the authorities within two weeks and asked the trial court to proceed with the case expeditiously, including the framing of charges.
The case relates to the December 6, 2025 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives and injured several others.
The three accused had earlier secured bail from the Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa. The Goa government challenged the bail orders before the Bombay High Court, which subsequently cancelled them in August, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the material gathered during the investigation.
Investigators have alleged that the nightclub was operating without the necessary licences and safety clearances. The probe has also focused on alleged lapses in firefighting arrangements and safety measures during an indoor fire display.
The Luthra brothers had reportedly travelled to Thailand after the incident before being deported to India and arrested by Goa Police.
With the Supreme Court dismissing their pleas, the High Court’s bail cancellation remains in force. The three accused must surrender within the stipulated two-week period as the criminal proceedings move forward.
