A bitter land dispute and new legal complications have emerged following the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, which claimed the lives of 25 people, including staff members and tourists. As the investigation widens, questions about land ownership, zoning changes, and official oversight have intensified, adding another layer of complexity to an already high-profile tragedy. The incident has sparked widespread concern about safety protocols, administrative failures, and alleged violations involving the club’s operations.
The tragedy, which occurred around midnight on December 6, has prompted a thorough review of fire safety compliance, licensing lapses, and the circumstances that allowed the nightclub to function in a sensitive zone. Families of the victims, local residents, and political leaders continue to demand transparency and accountability from authorities. Meanwhile, the accused proprietors face mounting legal pressure both in India and abroad as officials push for swift prosecution.
As investigations proceed, officials have initiated inquiries into potential dereliction of duty, with several government personnel suspended pending further examination. Goa’s chief minister has assured the public that the accused brothers will soon be brought back to India under coordinated efforts of Goa Police and the CBI, emphasizing that the case will be pursued to its fullest extent. The unfolding developments have turned this incident into not only a criminal case but also a test of governance, regulatory clarity, and safety enforcement in Goa’s bustling tourism sector.
Land Dispute and Allegations of Illegal Zoning
The case took a significant turn when Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, claiming to be the rightful owner of the plot on which the fire-ravaged nightclub once stood, alleged that the land had been illegally rezoned. He stated that the property, originally categorized as a salt pan, was converted into a settlement zone without his knowledge or consent. This alleged zoning change, he claimed, occurred quietly despite an ongoing legal dispute that he has been pursuing for more than two decades.
Amonkar further explained that he had entered into a sale agreement with Surinder Kumar Khosla in 2004, which was cancelled within six months due to non-payment. Despite the cancellation, Khosla reportedly proceeded to develop a nightclub on the land, which eventually came under the control of the Luthra brothers, who now face serious criminal charges in connection with the December 6 tragedy.
Officials from the Goa Town and Country Planning Department have confirmed that an inquiry into the allegations is underway. They have refrained from commenting further, stating that no definitive conclusions can be drawn until the investigation is complete. The accusations, however, have put the spotlight on possible administrative lapses that may have paved the way for the nightclub’s existence in the first place.
25 Lives Lost in the Tragic Blaze
The fire that swept through the nightclub claimed 25 lives, leaving families devastated and communities shaken. The victims included employees working the night shift as well as tourists visiting the popular nightlife hub. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest that the fire spread rapidly, raising concerns about the lack of adequate fire safety equipment, emergency exits, and crowd control measures.
Authorities suspect that a fire show organized inside the club without proper precautions may have triggered the disaster. The speed at which the blaze engulfed the premises has led investigators to probe whether flammable materials, poor design, or blocked exits contributed to the high casualty count. Many believe that the tragedy could have been avoided with stronger oversight, proper licensing, and better enforcement of safety regulations.
In the aftermath of the fire, rescue teams, police officials, and forensic experts worked tirelessly to retrieve bodies, assist survivors, and gather evidence. The devastation has prompted calls for stricter monitoring of nightlife establishments, especially those located in high-density tourist zones like North Goa.
Delhi Court Rejects Luthra Brothers’ Bail Pleas
In a major legal setback for the accused, a Delhi court dismissed the Luthra brothers’ requests for four weeks of transit anticipatory bail. The brothers, who were detained in Thailand shortly after the tragedy, had sought protection from immediate arrest upon their return to India. However, Additional Sessions Judge Vandana held that the allegations against them were “grave and serious,” noting the loss of 25 lives.
The court highlighted the suspicious timing of their departure from India, revealing that flight records showed their tickets to Phuket were booked at 1:17 am on December 7, just hours after the fire. This contradicted the brothers’ claims that they had left the country before the incident, raising concerns about attempts to flee from legal consequences.
The judge also pointed out that crucial licences for the nightclub had already expired and rejected medical grounds presented by Gaurav Luthra, deeming the documents outdated and insufficient. The court questioned why the brothers did not approach the appropriate court in Goa, stating that they had failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances required for extra-territorial anticipatory bail.
Government Response and Ongoing Arrests
Counsel for the Goa government opposed any relief for the accused, arguing that the brothers’ swift departure suggested an attempt to evade the legal process. Authorities confirmed the issuance of non-bailable warrants and stressed the seriousness of the allegations, which include manslaughter and murder. The charges stem from the alleged organization of a dangerous fire show without safety precautions or equipment.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that a joint team from Goa Police and the CBI is coordinating the process of bringing the Luthra brothers back to India. He also confirmed that a local panchayat official who had refused to cooperate with investigators would face arrest, while three government officials have already been suspended for negligence related to approvals and oversight.
Police have arrested Ajay Gupta, who claimed to be a silent partner in the nightclub, along with five managers and staff members connected to the event. Authorities continue to question others linked to the establishment as they work to assemble a complete picture of the events leading up to the catastrophe.
Consequences and the Road Ahead
The Goa nightclub fire has exposed multiple layers of administrative, legal, and safety-related failures. The allegations of illegal zoning, combined with expired licences and questionable operational practices, have prompted calls for systemic reforms. The incident has forced officials and lawmakers to confront the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement, especially in regions where tourism-driven nightlife businesses are thriving.
As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge regarding the land dispute, the nightclub’s licensing history, and the roles of various officials and stakeholders. Families of the victims continue to demand justice, while residents of Goa hope that meaningful changes will be implemented to prevent future tragedies of this scale.
The coming weeks will be crucial as authorities work to extradite the accused, complete the zoning inquiry, and finalize the forensic analysis of the fire site. The incident, though tragic, may serve as a turning point for Goa’s regulatory landscape, compelling the state to adopt more robust safety standards and transparent administrative practices moving forward.
Also Read: Shivraj Patil Dies at 90: Nation Mourns Former Speaker
About the Author:
Harshit Raj
