‘I was only a partner…’: Goa nightclub co-owner Ajay Gupta’s first reaction after detention; search on for Luthras

A ‘blue corner notice' has been issued by Interpol against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra

Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa, where a massive fire killed 25 people, is being questioned by the police in connection with case.

In a conversation with News18 India following his detention, Gupta insisted that his involvement with the nightclub was very limited.

“I was only a partner, I don’t know anything else," he said.

Gupta’s name appears on the nightclub’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) documents with Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, suggesting an official link to the business.

A Lookout Circular (LOC) had earlier been issued against Gupta. When the police team visited his residence in Delhi, he was found to be absconding and a non-bailable arrest warrant was subsequently issued against him.

Blue corner notice against Luthra brothers

Meanwhile, in a key development in the 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.

The two primary owners fled to Phuket, Thailand, after the massive fire and are currently being tracked by international authorities.

Besides, an LOC has been issued against Surinder Kumar Khosla, another owner of the nightclub who is a British citizen, according to police.

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.

Twenty-five persons were killed in the fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora in North Goa around midnight on December 6.

Goa Tourism's Rohan Khaunte said a strict investigation will be conducted from "down to top" and that "some heads need to roll."

"Goa Police has achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. A Blue Corner Notice has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused," Goa police said in a statement.