A day after a tragic fire at the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane left 25 people dead, authorities have arrested one of its co-owners, Ajay Gupta. The Gurugram resident was detained in Delhi after a Look-Out Circular was issued against him.
#WATCH | Birch by Romeo Lane Fire incident in Goa | The Goa Police has detained the accused partner, Ajay Gupta, from New Delhi. A Lookout Circular was issued against him. He says,” I am just a partner. I don’t know anything.” pic.twitter.com/fREATWfrKP
— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025
Investigators say Ajay Gupta tried to evade arrest by faking a medical issue. His arrest marks a major development in the widening probe into the fire that has shocked the nation.
Who is Ajay Gupta?
Ajay Gupta is a businessman based in Gurugram near Delhi. He is identified as a co-owner of Birch by Romeo Lane. However, officials and Ajay Gupta himself refer to him as a “sleeping partner”, a silent stakeholder who claims to have had no active role in the club’s daily operations. Documents such as GST records list Gupta alongside the other club owners, confirming his financial stake in the establishment.
How Police Tracked & Detained Ajay Gupta?
After the fire on December 7, police teams began investigating all individuals linked to the club. While two primary owners reportedly fled to Phuket, Thailand, a Look-Out Circular was issued for Ajay Gupta. Investigators tracked him to a hospital in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar. He had allegedly claimed a spinal problem to secure admission, apparently in an attempt to avoid arrest.
The plan failed. After he was discharged, police detained him during a raid. He is now expected to be shown in court and potentially remanded to Goa for further questioning.
Ajay Gupta Response on Goa Nightclub Fire: ‘Just a Sleeping Partner’
Upon detention, Ajay Gupta told the media, “I am just a sleeping partner with Luthras, nothing else. I don’t know anything.” He denied involvement in day-to-day management or any lapses at the nightclub. He claimed he had no knowledge of the fire safety or operational arrangements at the club.
However, Investigation teams, say business-ownership documents show him as a partner, prompting deeper scrutiny into his financial and structural responsibilities.
Goa Nightclub Fire That Changed Everything
The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, on the intervening night of December 6–7 killed 25 people, including staff and tourists. The blaze reportedly spread rapidly due to unsafe construction materials, lack of fire safety systems, and possible flammable decor.
Following the tragedy, police arrested multiple staff and managerial personnel. Meanwhile, two owners, Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, fled India. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.
Ajay Gupta’s arrest adds pressure on the remaining suspects to face accountability and aids investigators in piecing together ownership and responsibility links.
What the Arrest Means for the Investigation?
Ajay Gupta’s detention may unearth important leads, financial trails, ownership links, and club documentation. Investigators can now demand access to GST records, transaction logs, and communication related to club operations.
His custody allows police to question him about safety compliance, structural changes, and whether he knew risk factors at the club.
Goa Nightclub Fire: Accountability Beyond Names
The arrest of a “sleeping partner” sends a signal that financial stakeholders, not just active operators, can be held responsible in tragedies. It reinforces the idea that ownership, even silent, carries legal and moral accountability when safety norms are flouted.
For regulators and enforcement agencies, this marks a precedent: ownership transparency and documentation are critical. Silent partners cannot hide behind inactivity when fatal lapses occur.
