Goa Nightclub Fire: Probe Panel Questions Landowner, Village Sarpanch

Panaji, Dec 14: A magisterial inquiry committee probing the deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa has questioned the original landowner and the local panchayat sarpanch as part of its investigation into the December 6 tragedy that claimed 25 lives.

Officials said Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, the original landowner of the property, was summoned by the panel on Saturday and questioned for nearly seven hours. His counsel, Prasenjeet Dhage, described the questioning as “intensive and vigorous,” adding that the committee sought to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident.

Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar also appeared before the committee and responded to its queries. Redkar has already secured pre-arrest bail from a local court in connection with the case.

The Goa government has constituted the inquiry committee under the chairmanship of North Goa district magistrate Ankit Yadav to examine the causes of the fire and fix responsibility. Meanwhile, police have arrested five managers and staff members of the nightclub in connection with the case.

Club co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra were detained in Thailand after they allegedly fled the country following the incident, officials said.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, state authorities have intensified action against tourist establishments flouting safety norms. On Saturday, Cafe CO2 Goa, a popular cliff-top club at Vagator, was sealed, while the fire department revoked the no-objection certificate (NOC) of another club.

The action followed the recent closure of Goya Club in Vagator for alleged violations. A government inspection team found that Cafe CO2 Goa, with a seating capacity of 250, lacked a valid fire department NOC and did not have adequate structural stability. The club is located atop the Ozrant Cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea.

The Fire and Emergency Services Department also revoked the NOC of Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna after fire extinguishers were found to be inadequate, divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas said, adding that a notice was issued to the club’s partner, Nitin Wadhwa.

Meanwhile, campaigning for local body elections, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the fire incident occurred due to corruption in the state government led by the BJP. (Agencies)