Goa Fire Tragedy: Probe Reveals Illegal Nightclub Built on Salt Pan, Operated Without Licence

• Magisterial inquiry found Goa's "Birch by Romeo Lane" nightclub, where 25 died in a fire, was illegally built on a salt pan, a prohibited construction area.
• The club operated without a valid trade licence after March 31, 2024, and its original licence issuance in December 2023 had serious irregularities and missing documents.
• Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat showed administrative negligence and alleged collusion, failing to act despite the expired licence and numerous complaints.
• The nightclub lacked emergency exits and operated without valid permissions; fireworks without safety measures allegedly triggered the fatal blaze.
• Eight people, including owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, arrested; five Goa government officials suspended for their role in the tragedy.

Why It Matters: Goa fire probe exposes widespread illegalities, negligence, and collusion behind fatal nightclub blaze.