Magisterial report cites expired licences, forged documents, and official collusion; CM seeks action against panchayat and regulatory officials, including suspension of GSPCB officers
PANAJI
The report of the magisterial inquiry into the Arpora nightclub fire which killed 25 people, including staff and tourists on December 6, has unravelled a damning picture of expired licences, forged documents, collusion by local officials and glaring systemic failures across multiple levels in enforcing departments.
The State government released these key findings of the magisterial inquiry conducted by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav, IAS, on Wednesday via a press release issued by the Department of Information.
First and foremost, 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, operated by 'Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP of the Luthra brothers, functioned illegally on the day the tragedy occurred. Its licence had expired on March 31, 2024, the inquiry found.
The report also underscores a systemic breakdown of governance and enforcement, holding both local officials and regulatory agencies accountable for one of Goa’s worst tragedies in recent years.
Despite clear violations of Section 72-A of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, the Village Panchayat of Arpora-Nagoa failed to seal the premises or notify relevant departments to revoke associated permissions, the report said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has recommended stern measures, including disciplinary proceedings and criminal charges against the panchayat secretary and sarpanch, suspension of Goa State Pollution Control Board officials, and show-cause notices to officers from Fire & Emergency Services, Police, Excise, Electricity, FDA, Commercial Tax, and Tourism.
Collusion, negligence
The Panchayat Secretary, Raghuvir Bagkar, admitted to issuing the licence without verifying structural or legal documents, while the Sarpanch Roshan Redkar acknowledged that no action was taken against the establishment after the licence lapsed. The report concludes that both officials colluded with property owners, enabling illegal operations.
Forgery, procedural irregularities
Investigators found signs of forgery in the licence application submitted in December 2023, including altered words, discrepant ink, and missing mandatory documents.
The application falsely claimed the structure was located on House No. 502/1-RT8, which does not exist. The Panchayat Secretary admitted to issuing the licence hastily, without verifying compliance.
Illegal structures, land-use violations
The inquiry also flagged irregularities in licences issued for structures on Survey No. 159/0, recorded as salt pan and agricultural land.
Unauthorised constructions dating back to the late 1990s were regularised through house numbers and trade licences, violating land use and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Enforcement failures
Despite repeated complaints about noise, parking, and safety violations, enforcement agencies failed to act. Inspections were either delayed or dismissed as “nothing found”, reflecting negligence and indifference, Yadav's report said.
Forged licences
The fire at Birch Restaurant was compounded by forged documents, including a fake 'Police Clearance Certificate' and manipulated licences. Police investigations point to a criminal conspiracy involving the management.
