A Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta, and when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. Following this, he was detained in New Delhi.
The Goa Police on Tuesday detained co-owner Ajay Gupta, a resident of New Delhi, in connection with the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant-cum-bar in North Goa.
A Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta, and when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. Following this, he was detained in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, sources informed that Gupta — who was detained in Delhi — reportedly got himself admitted late at night to a hospital in Lajpat Nagar, citing a spine-related ailment. He has been taken into custody by the Goa Police.
If the Goa Police formally arrest Ajay Gupta, they will obtain a transit remand and take him to Goa, where he is expected to be produced in court on Wednesday.
Responding on the police action, Ajay Gupta, while he was brought to the Crime Branch office and told News18 that he was just a partner and had nothing to do with anything. “I was only a partner; I don’t know anything else.”
Ajay Gupta Detained
“Ajay Gupta has now been detained in Delhi,” Goa Police said in a statement. “All accused are being dealt with strictly as per law, and the investigation is progressing on priority,” the police added.
The Goa Police reply came in response to Congress leader Pawan Khera’s question on the Goa Arpora fire incident. Taking to X, the Congress leader said, “GS Hospitality Arpora LLP has three directors – Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta. Yet the FIR names only Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, who are now absconding.”
He further questioned, “Which Union Minister is protecting Ajay Gupta? Why was no FIR filed against him?”
The Congress on Sunday criticised the handling of safety measures at a club-cum-restaurant in Goa’s Arpora, where at least 25 people lost their lives in a late-night fire, calling the incident a serious lapse in oversight that requires an immediate and transparent investigation.
A crucial question on the Goa Arpora fire incident:
GS Hospitality Arpora LLP has 3 directors – Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta.
Yet the FIR names only Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, who are now absconding.
▪️Which Union Minister is protecting Ajay Gupta?
▪️Why… pic.twitter.com/nf9YebpW9M— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) December 9, 2025
The Congress on Sunday criticised the handling of safety measures at a club-cum-restaurant in Goa’s Arpora, where at least 25 people lost their lives in a late-night fire, calling the incident a serious lapse in oversight that requires an immediate and transparent investigation.
The police have so far arrested five persons – the nightclub’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli.
Goa Nightclub Fire
The development comes days after the massive blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at a nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people, most of whom were staff of the restaurant.
The Goa government formed a committee to investigate the incident.
The district administration also demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa. The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane.
In a major development in the ongoing investigation into Goa’s Romeo Lane fire incident, a ‘blue corner notice’ has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, just two days after the incident took place, state police said on Tuesday.
