MAPUSA
In yet another shocking incident highlighting the dark side of Goa’s coastal nightlife, tourists – including young women from Varanasi – were brutally assaulted by bouncers and staff of the controversial nightclub Romeo Lane at Vagator on Sunday noon.
Anjuna Police have registered an offence late in the evening but no arrests have been made.
What began as a minor disagreement allegedly turned into a violent attack, with the club’s night manager and bouncers assaulting the tourists using iron rods, wooden sticks, kicks and punches, leaving several injured.
The victims, part of a family group of eight to ten people, were rushed to hospital with bleeding injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, the group had gone to the club for dinner and drinks when the altercation began.
“My brother was dancing on the floor when he accidentally brushed against a waiter. The staffer got angry and the manager joined in the argument. Suddenly, around 15 to 20 bouncers came charging and started beating my brothers and even attacked us,” said one of the young female tourists, recounting the ordeal.
Another woman from the group described the assault as “horrifying”.
“They hit my brothers on their backs and even slapped and shoved us. We were terrified. We always believed Goa was safe for women – but after this, I don’t feel safe anymore,” she said.
However, a police official claimed that the tourists “acted irresponsibly and started drinking from another table,” leading to the clash.
After receiving a complaint from one of the tourists Ms Vaibhavi Singh (24), Anjuna Police have registered a case under Sections 352, 118 (1), 74 R/w 3 (5) of BNS of 2023.
When contacted, club manager (administration) Dinesh Khera denied any knowledge of the incident, saying he “was on leave”.
This is not the first time Romeo Lane has found itself in controversy.
The nightclub, located close to the shoreline, has repeatedly been in the news for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
In 2023, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ordered the club to dismantle unauthorized extensions, including upper decks and steps built into the beach. The High Court upheld these orders and directed the GCZMA to restore the damaged coastal area.
Yet, despite repeated government directives, Romeo Lane continues to operate in defiance of the law – with wooden extensions and structures built right up to the waterline.
The violent assault on tourists has reignited calls for the authorities to crack down on rogue coastal clubs operating in violation of the law.
