GOA, Dec. 7 — Police have registered an FIR against the owners, manager, and event organisers of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub after a fire claimed 25 lives in Arpora village, a senior official said on Sunday. The sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa panchayat, who issued the club’s trade license, has been detained.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. “All six injured persons are in a stable condition and are receiving the best medical care. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry to identify the cause and fix responsibility,” he said.
The fire broke out after midnight at the popular venue, located about 25 km from Panaji. Police said four tourists and 14 staff members died, while the identities of the remaining seven victims are yet to be established.
“Police registered an FIR against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of Birch by Romeo Lane Nightclub, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita,” a senior officer told PTI. A separate FIR was filed against the club manager and event organisers.
Police detained Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar, who had issued the trade license in 2013. Redkar said the club had ongoing disputes between partners and did not have permission to construct the premises. “We had issued a demolition notice, which was stayed by the Directorate of Panchayats,” he said.
A preliminary inquiry indicated that the fire started on the first floor. Due to congestion and narrow exits, many patrons were unable to evacuate safely. “Some of them rushed to the ground floor and got trapped there,” the Chief Minister added.
