Goa nightclub tragedy: Portion of Romeo Lane located in Vagator demolished - WATCH

Goa nightclub fire

The Goa government on Tuesday ordered the demolition of the Birch By Romeo Lane nightclub in Vagator, days after a massive fire at the club’s Arpora outlet claimed 25 lives on Saturday night.

According to a senior local police officer involved in the probe, preliminary findings suggest that the fatalities might have been preventable. Two police units — the Anjuna police station and the crime branch — had earlier issued notices to the club owners, asking them to furnish mandatory operating permissions and documents.

#WATCH | Goa: A portion of the Romeo Lane restaurant located in the Vagator area is being demolished. It is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane, where a fire tragedy claimed 25 lives on December 7. "We will demolish the encroachment on the… pic.twitter.com/YoZHQgg6cy

— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025

However, senior IPS officers allegedly stepped in to stop any further action. The officer also claimed that top officials pressured local police to shut an FIR filed against the club for violating loud music regulations.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Anjuna police inspector Prashal Desai had sought details regarding the club’s permissions, but his inquiry was reportedly halted by a senior IPS officer who has since retired. Later efforts by crime branch DSP Rajesh Kumar and Anjuna PI Paresh Naik to pursue other violations were also blocked, with instructions allegedly issued to avoid taking action against the club owners and, in some instances, to file closure reports.

Investigators now believe that call records of certain IPS officers — both retired and serving — may establish direct links to the club owners. On Sunday, state revenue minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate questioned whether IAS and IPS officers found involved in wrongdoing would face suspension, noting that three government officials had already been suspended after the tragedy.

Those suspended include former director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, former member-secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board Shamila Monteiro, and former secretary of the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat Reghuvir Bagkar. The state government said the nightclub’s demolition was essential to eliminate further risks and aid the ongoing investigation.