The Goa Police investigation into the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives, has revealed that the nightclub had been operating illegally for nearly 18 months without mandatory permissions and on an expired licence.
According to a senior police officer associated with the probe, the establishment’s licence had not been renewed as the management failed to secure the required clearances since 2024. Despite these serious regulatory lapses, the nightclub continued to function unchecked.
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The investigation has further exposed a major failure in enforcement, with authorities allegedly taking no action against Birch by Romeo Lane even though the violations persisted for over a year. It was only after the tragic fire on the night of December 6 that the irregularities came to light.
Police officials said the findings raise serious questions about regulatory oversight and accountability, as the venue continued operations in clear violation of licensing norms until the fatal incident triggered a comprehensive investigation.
