Ajay Gupta Held in Delhi, Says He Knew Nothing About Nightclub’s Operations (Source: X)
Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, has claimed he had only a minimal role in the business. After being detained in Delhi, he said he was not involved in the club’s daily decisions or operations that may have led to the tragic incident.
Soon after his detention, Gupta stated, “I was only a partner, I don’t know anything else."
Ajay Gupta, identified as one of the four owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Goa, was recently detained by police in Delhi in connection with a fatal fire at the club that killed 25 people.
Gupta will be brought to Goa on Wednesday for further interrogation related to the devastating fire that killed 25 people. His name appears on the nightclub’s GST documents along with owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, showing his official link to the establishment.
Police officials revealed that a Look Out Circular (LOC) had previously been issued when a Goa police team could not find Gupta at his Delhi residence.
“We later managed to detain him in Delhi," a senior officer told PTI. The official added that Gupta would be formally arrested before being flown to Goa for questioning.
Authorities say Gupta’s interrogation is important for understanding the club’s ownership and management structure and identifying who should be held responsible for the December 6 tragedy.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, killing 25 people and triggering concerns about inadequate safety measures at entertainment venues.
The primary owners, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, have escaped to Phuket, Thailand. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice to track their movements, involving international security agencies in the case.
Investigators have also issued an LOC against another co-owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national, reflecting ongoing efforts to bring all responsible individuals under the law.
So far, police have arrested five employees linked to the nightclub’s functioning. Those taken into custody include:
Chief general manager Rajiv Modak
General manager Vivek Singh
Bar manager Rajiv Singhania
Gate manager Riyanshu Thakur
Employee Bharat Kohli
Officials say that questioning Gupta and the other owners is a crucial step in piecing together how the fire started, whether safety rules were ignored, and what failures contributed to the massive loss of life.
