A devastating fire that claimed 25 lives at a popular nightclub in North Goa in December was the result of illegal construction, forged permissions, and a shocking failure of the local regulatory system, a government inquiry has conclusively found.
Illegal Structure on Protected Land
The magisterial inquiry report, made public this Wednesday, states that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora was built illegally in the middle of a salt pan or water body. The report emphatically declared that such construction is "not permissible under any law," whether current or past, and constitutes a clear violation of the Goa Land Revenue Code and Coastal Zone Regulations.
This foundational illegality set the stage for the tragedy. The inquiry further uncovered that the village panchayat had issued an establishment licence to the operators in December 2023, which was valid only until March 31, 2024. Despite the licence never being renewed, the nightclub continued to operate openly as a bar and nightspot for months.
Systemic Collusion and Forgery
The report points to alleged collusion by local authorities. It notes that the panchayat took no steps to seal the premises even though the Goa Panchayat Raj Act empowers it to do so. Senior panchayat officials were aware the licence had lapsed but failed to inform other government departments, which kept granting permissions based on the expired document. The inquiry concluded this amounted to collusion with the owners and a violation of conduct rules.
The original licensing process itself was riddled with serious irregularities. The probe found evidence of alleged forgery in the application, including entries added later in different ink. Mandatory documents like approved building plans and land records were missing. Officials admitted they never verified the house number or the legality of the structure before issuing the licence. The approval was rushed through in a matter of days.
Ignored Complaints and Final Tragedy
Between January 2024 and December 2025, the establishment faced multiple complaints regarding noise pollution and illegal parking. However, inspections repeatedly reported finding "nothing on the spot." Directions from the Bombay High Court concerning night patrolling were also not followed.
The fatal fire broke out on the night of December 6 during a crowded event. It started after fireworks were set off without adequate safety measures or equipment. The club, operating without valid permissions, lacked emergency exits on both floors, trapping victims inside. The blaze killed 25 people, including tourists and staff members.
In the aftermath, police have registered a case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal negligence, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. Eight individuals, including co-owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, have been arrested in connection with the case.
