Panaji: A Goa court on Wednesday granted bail to Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the fire-ravaged Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, in a forgery case, clearing the way for their release from jail.
The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class Jude Sequeira in Mapusa, according to defence counsel Advocate Parag Rao. The brothers had earlier secured bail in a separate case linked to the devastating fire at the nightclub in December 2025 that claimed 25 lives.
With the latest relief, the accused are expected to be released, though they have been directed to report to the Mapusa police station for the next five days. The defence said it is awaiting the detailed court order.
The forgery case relates to allegations that the Luthra brothers used fake documents, including a fabricated no-objection certificate (NOC), to obtain permissions and an excise licence for operating the club in Arpora village in North Goa. Police said the forged NOC was used to secure regulatory clearances.
The case was registered after a complaint by a health officer from the Candolim Primary Health Centre, who alleged that his signature had been forged and false entries were made in official records to obtain the health clearance.
Earlier, on April 1, a sessions court in Mapusa had granted the brothers bail in the case related to the fatal blaze. Following the fire on December 6, 2025, the accused fled to Thailand but were later deported to India on December 17 and arrested by Anjuna police.
The incident had sparked a large-scale investigation into fire safety violations, licensing irregularities, and alleged negligence in the functioning of the nightclub.
