Goa nightclub fire: Landowner, sarpanch grilled as probe widens
Goa nightclub fire: Landowner, sarpanch grilled as probe widens
Magisterial inquiry widens as landowner and sarpanch are questioned while Goa tightens safety checks after a deadly nightclub blaze.
A magisterial inquiry into the December 6 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Vagator has taken a new turn, with investigators summoning the original landowner, Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, and Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar for questioning. The district magistrate-led panel is probing how the tragedy occurred and whether lax safety norms and regulatory gaps contributed to the loss of lives. The inquiry aims to map the sequence of events and assess any lapses that allowed the venue to operate under questionable conditions.
Meanwhile, Goa police have arrested five managers and staff members of the club as part of the ongoing crackdown on establishments violating safety norms for tourists. The two co-owners of the venue, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, were detained after reportedly fleeing the country and being tracked down abroad.
In a broader enforcement push, authorities sealed Cafe CO2 Goa in Vagator and revoked the Fire and Emergency Services department’s no-objection certificate for another nearby club. The inspections highlighted serious safety concerns, including lack of a valid NOC and structural stability issues at the site, which sits atop a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea. A separate closure of another Vagator venue, Goya Club, underscored the wider drive to tighten compliance after the blaze.
The questioning of the landowner and the sarpanch, attended by representatives and lawyers, was described as intensive by those present. Officials stressed that the inquiry will examine why the incident happened, with the aim of establishing responsibility and ensuring strict adherence to safety norms across similar establishments.
Authorities have also noted that the Birch by Romeo Lane site reportedly lacked key safety documents and had structural concerns flagged during earlier inspections. As the investigation continues, officials expect more testimonies and concrete steps to prevent a repeat of such a tragedy, in a state where tourism-related venues must meet stringent safety standards.
Cover image source: Goa nightclub fire: Probe committee questions landowner, sarpanch 🔗
