Ajay Gupta Claims Limited Role in Goa Nightclub Before Deadly Fire

Panaji: Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of the ‘Berch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub who was taken into custody in Delhi in connection with the North Goa fire tragedy, has claimed that his involvement in the club’s operations was minimal. Gupta has maintained that he had no role in the day-to-day functioning of the establishment or in any decisions that may have contributed to the disaster.

In an exclusive interview with News18 India following his detention, Gupta said, “I was only a partner. I have no knowledge of anything else.” He is scheduled to be taken to Goa on Wednesday for further questioning related to the December 6 fire that claimed 25 lives.

Gupta’s name appears in the nightclub's Goods and Services Tax (GST) documents alongside Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, indicating his formal association with the business.

Police officials said a Look Out Circular (LOC) had earlier been issued against Gupta after a Goa Police team was unable to trace him at his Delhi residence. “We later located him in Delhi and took him into custody,” a senior officer told PTI, adding that Gupta’s formal arrest will be recorded before he is transported to Goa.

Authorities have emphasised that questioning Gupta is crucial to establishing the ownership pattern, operational structure, and chain of responsibility of the nightclub in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The fire, which broke out near midnight at the Arpora-based nightclub in North Goa, resulted in the deaths of 25 people. The incident has triggered intense scrutiny of safety standards at entertainment venues across major tourist hubs.

Main Owners Absconding; Probe Expands Internationally

Following the incident, primary owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra reportedly fled to Phuket, Thailand. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued to trace their movements, prompting international law-enforcement agencies to monitor the case. A Look Out Circular has also been issued against co-owner Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national.

So far, five individuals connected with the nightclub’s operations have been arrested, including Chief General Manager Rajeev Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajeev Singnia, Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur, and staff member Bharat Kohli.

Investigators said that questioning Gupta and the other owners is essential to reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the fire and to identifying potential lapses in safety protocols.