Magisterial Inquiry Committee set up by govt to probe fire

PANAJI

The State government on Monday formally constituted a Magisterial Inquiry Committee headed by North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav to investigate the chain of events that led to the deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which claimed 25 lives, including four tourists.

The four-member committee includes Superintendent of Police (South) Tikam Singh Verma, Director of Forensic Sciences Ashutosh Apte and Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services Rajendra Haldankar. The committee has to ascertain the facts and circumstances that lead to the incident and submit its report within one week.

“The committee shall examine the sequence of events leading to the incidents and fix accountability on agencies or departments responsible and recommend preventive and corrective measures,” reads the order issued by Under Secretary Home Manthan Naik.

The Committee has to also verify the compliances of all necessary licenses and determine the lapses. The committee has been granted authority to call for all records, documents, etc from the concerned departments and if required summon the individual concerned for investigation.

The massive blaze at the Arpora nightclub on Saturday late night killed 25 people — including four tourists and 21 staff members while five others are undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. As per initial findings, the use of electrical fireworks led to the fire.

An FIR has been lodged against the nightclub owners while five key mangers of the nightclub are currently placed under arrest.