A district court in Goa`s Mapusa on Tuesday granted bail to Ajay Gupta, co-owner of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a devastating fire in December last year claimed 25 lives, reported the ANI.
Gupta had been arrested in New Delhi over three months ago before securing bail, his counsel confirmed.
The tragic blaze occurred on December 6 at the nightclub in Goa, resulting in 25 fatalities and leaving several others injured. The incident triggered widespread outrage and prompted a detailed investigation into safety lapses.
Co-owners and Allegations
Gupta co-owns the establishment along with Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra.
Authorities initiated criminal proceedings against the owners, citing alleged negligence and violations of mandatory fire safety norms.
According to police, a fireworks event was conducted at the venue without adequate fire safety equipment. It was also alleged that the premises lacked proper emergency exits on key floors, despite organisers being aware of the risks, as per the ANI.
The case
According to the ANI, the Goa Police registered a case on December 7 at the Arpora-Anjuna police station in North Goa. Charges were filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to negligence, endangering life, and acts carried out with common intention.
In January, the Goa government dismissed Roshan Redkar and Raghuvir Bagkar from service, citing “persistent negligence” in connection with the incident.
The Directorate of Panchayats, relying on findings from a magisterial inquiry, stated that irregularities at the premises were either overlooked or tacitly approved during official meetings.
Irregularities in club operations
The inquiry report revealed that the Birch establishment initially operated from a temporary structure and was later converted into a nightclub without the necessary approvals, including a conversion sanad and sanctioned building plans, according to the ANI.
The officials had earlier described the lapses as a serious breach of public trust, raising concerns over accountability among those responsible for oversight.
(with ANI inputs)