Birch Nightclub Fire: Saket Court Grants 36-Hour Transit Remand of Ajay Gupta to Goa Police

Gupta, arrested in Delhi earlier in the day, was produced before the Saket Court, where Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vinod Joshi allowed the transit remand and directed his prompt production before the competent court in Goa.

The Court also directed the investigating team to ensure Gupta receives necessary medical care during transit.

The Goa Police sought an extended 36-hour window citing travel disruptions stemming from the ongoing Indigo crisis.

While Gupta is now headed to Goa for further proceedings, the spotlight remains on co-accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who fled to Thailand soon after the fire.

During a separate hearing before the Rohini Court, Delhi Police informed that a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) had already been issued against the brothers by a Goa court. Opposing their plea for Anticipatory Bail, the State argued the duo was deliberately evading the probe and did not deserve interim relief.

The brothers, through counsel, claimed they had travelled to Thailand for work and now wished to return but feared immediate arrest. Their lawyers sought brief transit protection to approach a Goa court. The Rohini Court questioned the maintainability of their pleas, noting the accused were outside the territorial jurisdiction.

Goa Police have so far arrested five individuals: Chief General manager Rajiv Modak, General manager Vivek Singh, Bar manager Rajiv Singhania, Gate manager Riyanshu Thakur, and Bharat Kohli.

Meanwhile, as per news reports Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the inquiry report into the fire would be ready within eight days. The state has begun disbursing compensation to victims' families and launched intensified safety audits across entertainment venues. Authorities also demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, owned by the Luthra brothers, who also run Birch by Romeo Lane.