SEALED AFTER TRAGEDY: Police cordon off the area and seal the controversial Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora on Sunday, a day after the devastating fire that claimed 25 lives.
MAPUSA
In a revelation that has intensified questions over administrative oversight, it has emerged that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub – where a devastating fire on Saturday night claimed 25 lives—had been served a demolition order by the Arpora-Nagoa Village Panchayat months ago for violating multiple permissions.
According to panchayat officials, the demolition notice was issued after a thorough verification of documents and following due procedure, including a formal resolution passed by the elected panchayat body.
The action was prompted by findings that the controversial high-end club had been operating in violation of construction norms and licensing requirements.
Complicating matters further, there was an ongoing dispute between the landowner and the club promoter, during which a complaint was reportedly filed stating that the establishment was functioning without valid licences.
However, the demolition order did not take effect. The Deputy Director of Panchayats issued a stay, allowing the club to continue operating despite the panchayat’s order and the unresolved licensing concerns.
With the stay in place, Birch by Romeo Lane remained open – until the catastrophic fire ravaged the wooden and thatched-roof structure on Saturday night, trapping patrons and staff and resulting in one of the worst nightclub tragedies in Goa’s recent memory.
The sequence of administrative actions, legal challenges and regulatory lapses is now under scrutiny as part of the broader investigation into what enabled the club to operate despite serious red flags.
Authorities are expected to examine whether quicker action on the demolition order or closer enforcement of licences could have prevented the incident.
The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, with local leaders and citizens demanding accountability from both local and higher-level authorities who failed to act decisively on repeated warnings.
