Key Points:
Goa Police arrested key accused Ajay Gupta in Delhi after the nightclub fire that killed 25 people.
Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice for Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who fled India for Thailand.
Delhi government orders faster, stricter fire safety checks to prevent similar incidents.
The Goa Police have detained one of the four owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub on December 9, 2025, where a deadly fire claimed 25 lives. The key accused, Ajay Gupta, was detained after a lookout notice was issued for him and another main accused, Surinder Kumar Khosla, by the Goa Police.
A Goa Police spokesperson stated that the arrest of Ajay Gupta marks the sixth detention in the devastating fire accident that took place in Arpora, Goa, on December 6, 2025. Ajay Gupta, one of the key accused, was captured in Delhi after police were unable to find him at his residence there.
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Gupta will be brought back to the state after the completion of all formalities, according to a Goa Police official. The other two prime accused in the case — the Luthra brothers — are believed to be on the run. After fleeing following the Birch nightclub fire, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra have now been added to Interpol’s watch list.
The global policing agency has issued a Blue Corner Notice for the Luthra brothers to collect more information about the key accused who are currently absconding.
The information will include their identity, location, and activities. Just a few hours after the massive fire engulfed the well-known nightclub in North Goa's Arpora, the Luthra brothers reportedly fled India for Thailand. According to Goa Director General of Police Alok Kumar, the brothers fled to evade any criminal investigation against them.
They reportedly reached Delhi’s international airport at around 3 am on December 7, 2025. The police have filed an FIR against the duo, conducted raids at their properties, and posted notices on them.
The Goa Police have detained five people in connection with the Birch nightclub fire incident. The accused include the nightclub’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, Rajiv Singhania (bar manager), Vivek Singh (general manager), Riyanshu Thakur (gate manager), and Bharat Kohli (employee).
The devastating fire claimed the lives of many people, including several staff members. The fire reportedly started due to a cylinder blast, which led to the tragic incident that killed those present, including five Indian tourists.
On December 9, 2025, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced changes to the city’s fire safety NOC (No Objection Certificate) process. The order aims to make the NOC procedure faster and easier for businesses, reducing delays in approval. “The NOC process must be transparent and hassle-free so that no one faces inconvenience,” said CM Rekha Gupta.
Following the Goa fire accident, she also directed the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) to conduct regular inspections at hotels, restaurants, and clubs to prevent similar incidents. She further added that any establishment lacking proper fire safety equipment will face strict action.
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