Mapusa Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail in Nightclub NOC Forgery Case
A Mapusa court in Goa has denied anticipatory bail to Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the owners of the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, in a case involving the alleged forgery of a no-objection certificate (NOC). The case was registered at the Mapusa police station, with the brothers accused of using a counterfeit health NOC to operate their establishment.
Allegations of Forgery and Impersonation
The Mapusa police filed a separate FIR based on a complaint from the health officer of the Candolim primary health centre. According to the complaint, authorised individuals from Birch impersonated the health officer, forged his signature, and made a fraudulent entry in the register to obtain a health NOC. This document was subsequently used to secure an excise licence for the nightclub, raising serious legal concerns.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Applications
In addition to the NOC forgery case, the Luthra brothers are involved in legal proceedings related to a fire incident at the nightclub. The court has reserved its order on their regular bail application in connection with the fire case for April 1. This bail request follows the rejection of their earlier applications and the filing of a chargesheet in the matter, indicating ongoing judicial scrutiny.
The rejection of anticipatory bail in the forgery case underscores the gravity of the allegations, which include impersonation and document manipulation. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of the misconduct and its implications for licensing and public safety in Goa.
