The devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa’s Arpora village — which claimed 25 lives shortly after midnight — has exposed a trail of alleged violations, unauthorised construction and a simmering land dispute that local authorities say had already placed the nightclub under scrutiny long before the tragedy.
In an exclusive conversation with CNBC-TV18, Arpora sarpanch Roshan Redkar confirmed that the establishment had no permission from the village panchayat and had been operating illegally for nearly a year.
“The so-called ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ property was already under a land dispute. The panchayat had issued demolition orders, and operations of the club were never approved,” Redkar said.
He added that landowners — including families with the surnames Khosla and Luthra, linked to a sister concern of the Romeo Lane brand — had repeatedly filed complaints alleging illegal construction and commercial activity on the premises.
Land dispute, ignored orders, continued operation
According to the sarpanch, multiple submissions were made to the panchayat regarding unauthorised structures and unapproved commercial use. Despite clear communication that the nightclub did not have permission to operate, it reportedly continued business as usual.
“The dispute was active, and directions were given. Still, they continued to operate,” Redkar said.
Questions over fire NOC amid illegal layout
In a startling contradiction, the nightclub did secure a fire department NOC, a move now under intense scrutiny.
A prominent Arpora-based lawyer told CNBC-TV18 that the NOC was “non-compliant with critical safety rules”, highlighting in particular an illegally constructed kitchen on the mezzanine floor.
“There is no way an NOC should have been granted for a kitchen without a fire escape. This is illegal,” the lawyer said, adding that the layout had blocked escape routes — a key reason several staff members were unable to flee.
He also confirmed there was an ongoing case against the establishment.
FIR registered; Chief Minister orders magisterial inquiry
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said an FIR has been registered against the nightclub’s owner and general manager.
In a statement posted on X, Sawant said he is closely reviewing the situation and confirmed that six injured victims are stable and receiving treatment.
Calling it the first incident of such scale in Goa’s nightlife sector, he announced a magisterial inquiry to determine the cause, accountability and regulatory failures that led to the tragedy.
Preliminary findings: Rapid fire spread, blocked exits
Early reports indicate the fire began on the first floor before spreading rapidly through the structure. Congestion, narrow exits and blocked pathways are believed to have trapped several people inside.
“Some of them rushed to the ground floor and got trapped there,” Sawant said.
As investigations widen, the spotlight is now firmly on regulatory lapses, the disputed status of the land, and how an establishment without panchayat approval continued operating with impunity.
