Years of complaints, notices and High Court directives ignored until tragedy forced the government to act
AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
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Even as the Goa government sealed the two other outlets owned by Saurabh Luthra — Romeo Lane in Vagator and Mama’s Buoi in Assagao — O Heraldo has learnt that Birch by Romeo Lane gutted on Saturday night, had no clearance from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to operate. “We did not give them an NOC to operate as they never applied for one. It is mandatory that any premises exceeding 100 square metres obtain our approval. This is standard practice,” disclosed Shripad Gawas, Divisional Officer, North Zone, Fire and Emergency Services. As per the checklist of the Mamlatdar of Bardez, the night club area admeasures 3,400 square metres. “Normally, all panchayats stipulate that before an establishment licence is issued, the applicant must procure our clearance. I do not know why it did not happen in this case,” he added. Twenty bodies left the Goa Medical College (GMC) mortuary for their final resting place, while the five injured admitted to Ward 117 are recovering steadily. “They are out of danger but still in a state of shock,” said a doctor overseeing their treatment
We did not give them an NOC to operate as they never applied for one. It is mandatory that any premises exceeding 100 square metres obtain our approval. This is standard practice… Normally, all panchayats stipulate that before an establishment licence is issued, the applicant must procure our clearance. I do not know why it did not happen in this case – Shripad Gawas, Divisional Officer, North Zone, Fire and Emergency Services.
O Heraldo has continuously reported that Romeo Lane in Vagator continued to stand despite High Court orders for demolition of its encroachments, and nothing happened. I think the court should have taken suomotu cognizance of the report – Dr Silvano Sapeco, Forensic expert.
It is very clear from the list of the dead and other reports that all outsiders were employed by the club. Why this farce of employment for locals – John Araujo, Arpora resident
“The relatives of the remaining five deceased will be arriving tomorrow to take possession” said Varsha Parab, Deputy Collector, North Goa, who has been stationed at GMC since the incident. Evidence gathered indicates that the first red flag against Birch by Romeo Lane was raised with the Arpora Sarpanch two years ago, when Pradeep Amonkar and Sunil Diwkar warned that a disaster was imminent. Sunday’s inferno eventually pushed the Goa government to seal Romeo Lane in Vagator, in compliance with the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court’s order dated December 14, 2023. That the government waited for 25 people to die before acting is a stark indictment of governance. Records show that despite clear knowledge that Birch by Romeo Lane had no legal sanction to operate, it was allowed to function until innocent lives were lost.
After the establishment licence was issued on December 16, 2023, multiple irregularities were reported to government authorities in writing until September 23, 2025, yet responsibility was repeatedly avoided until the deadly fire exposed all lapses. On December 20, 2023 — just four days after the licence was granted — Amonkar and Divkar wrote to the Arpora Sarpanch, stating: “Operation of discotheque in an unstable structure which could cause a major tragedy.”
Further action followed: a demolition notice on April 20, 2024; a report by the Mamlatdar on June 24, 2024 declaring the land conversion illegal; and a GCZMA observation on April 1, 2025 describing “gross illegal construction resulting in violation of CRZ Notification 2011.” With the government continuing to look the other way, the two complainants eventually issued a legal notice on November 4, 2025, stating: “Your prompt attention, decisive action, and comprehensive response to this notice are not only legally mandated but essential for public safety, environmental protection, and maintaining the rule of law in the State of Goa.” Following the tragedy, the government suspended three officers — Shamila Monteiro, then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board; Siddhi Harlankar, Director of Panchayats; and Raghuveer Bagkar, Panchayat Secretary. These suspensions, however, are widely seen as knee-jerk reactions when compared with the years of impunity that allowed Birch by Romeo Lane and Romeo Lane in Vagator to flourish despite repeated violations.
As the villagers of Arpora struggle to cope with the scale of the tragedy, residents of Vagator have expressed relief that Romeo Lane has finally been sealed. Despite a High Court order mandating demolition and fines for ecological damage, the owners rebuilt the structure at the same location and ignored a Tourism Department notice dated May 27, 2025 demanding removal of encroachments within 15 days.
A file prepared by the Director of Tourism seeking compliance with the High Court order has reportedly been pending with the Tourism Minister’s office since October 2025. “O Heraldo has continuously reported that Romeo Lane in Vagator continued to stand despite High Court orders for demolition of its encroachments, and nothing happened. I think the court should have taken suomotu cognizance of the report,” said forensic expert Dr Silvano Sapeco. The revelation that 20 staff members of Birch by Romeo Lane were among the victims has sharpened questions surrounding the Chief Minister’s claim that tourism generates employment for locals. “It is very clear from the list of the dead and other reports that all outsiders were employed by the club. Why this farce of employment for locals?” asked John Araujo of Arpora
