In a setback to demolition proceedings in the high-profile Arpo ra nightclub fire case, the District Court has stayed the demolition order is sued against property owner Surendra Kumar Khosla, granting interim protection to the struc ture housing Birch by Romeo Lane. The interim stay will re main in force until Febru ary 23, 2026, the next date of hearing. The relief comes after Khosla filed a revision petition challenging the February 2, 2026 order of the Additional Director of Panchayats directing demolition, as well as a corrigendum issued on February 9. The petition contends that both directives re quire reconsideration on legal and procedural grounds. Advocate Sebastian Vales, appearing for Kho sla, told the court that the demolition order and the underlying administrative directions were legally un sustainable. “The District Court has been pleased to grant a stay on the demolition order as well as the or der of the Additional Di rector,” Vales said after the hearing He was assisted by junior advocates Akshata Kannur, Chaitana Amerkar and Sindhiya Torskar. The stay effectively halts any demolition action against the Arpora structure until further orders, pausing a move that followed allegations of illegal construction on khazan land and lack of mandatory technical and fire safety clearances flagged by the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat. Parallel to the demolition challenge, the defence has also moved the Sessions Court against a proclamation order de claring Khosla an absconder. Vales termed the proclamation “a surprise” and argued that his client has been cooperating with investigators through legal representation since the outset of the case. “My client has been represented by counsel before the po lice and has participated in proceedings since the initial in cident. The proclamation was unwarranted,” he submitted. Responding to media queries, the defence further clari fied that there are currently no Enforcement Directorate proceedings against Khosla. While separate investigations involving other individuals are underway, counsel main tained that those matters are unrelated to his client. The legal battle stems from the December 6, 2025 fire at the Arpora-based nightclub that claimed 25 lives, trigger ing multiple criminal and administrative proceedings. With interim protection now in place, the focus shifts to Febru ary 23, when the District Court is expected to hear detailed arguments on the validity of the demolition order and re lated directives.
District Court halts demolition of Birch nightclub
