Goa Nightclub Fire Tragedy: Years of Ignored Warnings Led to Preventable Loss of 25 Lives at Illegal Venue

A demolition notice had been issued against the nightclub, but the owners filed an appeal to delay action.

Documents obtained by NDTV reveal that 'Birch by Romeo Lane' was constructed illegally, and 25 lives could have been saved if authorities had acted on multiple notices, including one for demolition, that were issued against the establishment.

Around midnight on Saturday, a devastating fire swept through the nightclub in Goa's Arpora, claiming the lives of 25 people – five tourists and 20 staff members. The owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, who were in Delhi during the incident, fled to Thailand shortly afterward.

Records show that concerns about the club were first raised in December 2023 through a complaint to the Arpora panchayat. The complaint highlighted that the club had been illegally built on salt pans and was discharging sewage directly into the river. It warned that the unstable discotheque structure, built over a water body, posed a significant risk to lives – a tragic prediction that came true in last week's disaster.

The panchayat responded promptly to these concerns, scheduling a site inspection in January 2024 and conducting it two weeks later. The inspection confirmed the presence of illegal structures. In February, a show-cause notice was issued, followed by a resolution passed on March 13 ordering the demolition of several structures essential to the club's operation.

A formal demolition notice was served to the owners, giving them 15 days to comply with the order.

The notice stated: "Site inspection was carried out on 17/01/2024 and it was found that you have carried out unauthorised construction of shops, restaurant, 6 nos. of structures & 2 nos of platform in alleged salt pan located in Sy. No. 158/0 & 159/0 of Village Arpora situated at Sankwadi, Arpora, Bardez, Goa."

It further emphasized: "You have failed to produce any documentary evidence proving the legality of said unauthorised construction of shops, restaurant, 6 nos. of structures & 2 nos of platform in alleged salt pan... and hence the said construction to be treated as illegal. All the documents... were placed before the panchayat body meeting held on 13/03/2024 and... it is resolved to issue demolition order."

Officials reported that instead of providing legal documentation or approvals, the owners filed an appeal to delay the demolition. Meanwhile, the club continued to operate and host events that attracted large crowds.

The village panchayat was not alone in identifying irregularities at 'Birch by Romeo Lane.' In June 2023, the Mamlatdar (a senior revenue official) and Land Revenue Department issued a report noting that the land for the club had been illegally converted from agricultural to commercial use. The report detailed unauthorized modifications including land filling, creation of parking and water sports areas, landscaping, and the construction of shops and the nightclub. Despite multiple opportunities, the club's management failed to provide a conversion 'sanad' – the legal document permitting the change of land use from agricultural to non-agricultural purposes.

The deputy collector also issued a show-cause notice in June last year regarding the illegal land conversion.

Earlier this year, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority issued another show-cause notice to the owner, citing "gross illegal construction" that violated Coastal Regulation Zone regulations. The document highlighted an illegal concrete structure built in a water body and four deck structures erected over the water. It also noted the construction of 13 shops and questioned why a demolition order should not be issued based on these violations.

On Tuesday, authorities demolished a portion of the Luthras' other property in Goa, 'Romeo Lane' in Vagator. Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte promised that accountability would be established for the illegalities at the Arpora nightclub as well.

"What happened (fire incident) is a very tragic episode. This particular episode was at 'Birch by Romeo Lane', which does not come under the purview of the Tourism Department in terms of registrations. But we have to learn and ensure corrections are made. I have told the chief minister an investigation should be done, accountability should be fixed and heads should roll... It is easy to blame politicians, but officials are also there. The inquiry should expose people involved in these kinds of illegalities," the minister stated.

He added: "The 'Romeo Lane', which we have demolished due to its illegality, is in Vagator. We had demolished the illegal parts of the structure last year but they came up again. We have taken them down again today, and there was a delay because of the rain."