Goa fire tragedy: Chief general manager, three other staff members arrested

Goa government forms committee to inquire into nightclub fire tragedy, report to be submitted within a week: CM Sawant.

Goa nightclub's chief general manager and three other staff members have also been arrested, chief minister Pramod Sawant said, as the government intensified action following the fire at a restaurant in North Goa’s Arpora that claimed 25 lives.

Sawant announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured through the SDRF fund. He said the government will assist in transporting the bodies to their homes and has formed a team comprising police, health officials and the SDM for the process.

The chief minister said he has ordered a magisterial inquiry to examine procedural lapses, with a committee including the district magistrate, SP South, fire department officials and forensic experts asked to submit a report within a week. Strict punitive action has been directed against the owner, manager and those who issued permissions.

Sawant also said a separate committee headed by the revenue secretary will audit clubs and establishments operating without valid clearances. An SOP has been framed to ensure safety compliance, and an advisory has been sent to all restaurants, clubs and venues with heavy footfall to operate only with valid permissions and adequate safety measures.

Owners booked, sarpanch detained

An FIR has been registered against the owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, its manager, and the event organisers after the massive fire that claimed 25 lives. The authorities have also detained the sarpanch of the Arpora–Nagoa panchayat for questioning.

The move comes after the late-night blaze triggered public anger and raised questions about safety violations at the popular Baga-area establishment.

Police said the FIR was filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar, who issued a trade licence for the premises in 2013, has been detained for further questioning.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight. The club, located in Arpora village around 25 km from Panaji, had opened only last year. Police said the victims included four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven others were still being confirmed.

Redkar claimed the nightclub was run by Saurabh Luthra, who had been in a dispute with his business partner. He said the panchayat had inspected the premises and found the structure had no construction licence. A demolition notice was issued, but was later stayed by the Directorate of Panchayats.

Tension rose at Anjuna police station after Redkar’s detention, with a crowd gathering outside to protest.

Sawant said he is monitoring the aftermath closely. The six injured remain stable. Preliminary findings indicate the fire began on the first floor, where congestion and narrow exits slowed escape.

Cause of the fire

According to the preliminary inquiry, the fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical fire crackers inside the club, said Goa CM Pramod Sawant. "Some people could come out, but others could not, due to which they lost their lives. A complete inquiry is being done, and a report will be received within a week. Suspensions will be issued to some people today itself. The concerned officers will be punished as well," he said.

Oppositoin Attacks 

Opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, have attacked the state government over the tragedy. Congress leaders who visited the site alleged the club lacked an excise licence and a fire safety NOC but operated for a year due to political protection. They called it a failure of the Home Department and demanded Sawant’s resignation.

AAP raised similar questions, asking who allowed the club to run without clearances and alleging corruption across the coastal belt. Arvind Kejriwal and other party leaders also criticised the administration while expressing condolences.

*With PTI inputs