Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: A health certificate submitted to obtain the initial trade licence for the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub was found to be forged, leading Mapusa Police to register a fresh FIR against the company operating the establishment, officials said on Monday.
The company is owned by the Luthra brothers, with Gaurav Luthra, Saurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta listed as directors.
The alleged forgery surfaced during proceedings of the magisterial inquiry committee appointed by the State government to investigate the fatal fire at the nightclub. While scrutinising documents submitted by the establishment to secure statutory clearances, the committee flagged serious discrepancies in the health certificate produced by the operators.
According to officials, the document was allegedly fabricated in 2024 by scanning and reproducing a health certificate containing the name and signature of the local health officer.
The Health Officer attached to the Candolim Primary Health Centre, Dr Roshan Nazareth, informed the inquiry committee that he had never issued any health certificate to the company running the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub.
Further examination revealed that the same certificate was allegedly used not only to obtain the trade licence but also to secure an excise licence and other statutory approvals required for the operation of the establishment.
Following these findings, the Excise Department initiated an independent probe. After verifying the document’s authenticity, the department concluded that the certificate was forged and subsequently filed a formal complaint with Mapusa Police.
Confirming the registration of the case, Mapusa Deputy Superintendent of Police Wilson D’Souza said an FIR has been lodged against the company in which the Luthra brothers and Ajay Gupta are directors.
All three accused are currently in judicial custody in connection with the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the extent of the forgery and the specific roles played by those involved.
The latest FIR adds to the series of criminal cases linked to the nightclub, as authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the deadly fire and the alleged use of forged documents to obtain licences and permissions.
