Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A magisterial committee constituted by the Goa government has submitted its report into the deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, identifying forged documents, trade licence violations and illegal constructions as key reasons behind the December 6, 2025 tragedy that claimed 25 lives.
The inquiry primarily examined the role of Village Panchayat Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar and pointed to serious procedural failures that allowed the nightclub to function unlawfully for an extended period.
According to the report, the establishment continued operations even after its trade licence had expired. The committee observed that the lapse of the licence should have resulted in the immediate closure of the premises, but no enforcement action was taken, exposing visitors and employees to grave risk. The failure to stop operations after the licence expiry was described as a major breakdown in regulatory oversight.
The committee also raised concerns over the unusually swift grant of the trade licence. Investigators found that the licence was issued within just four days of the application, without following mandatory verification procedures. The report noted that proper scrutiny of documents, site inspections and background checks of the applicants—identified as Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra—were bypassed.
Further, the inquiry uncovered evidence of document tampering. It stated that references to running a bar and nightclub were inserted into the application papers at a later stage, indicating forgery in the licensing process.
The report also highlighted irregularities related to land use approvals. Bagkar allegedly cleared the licence based on a house number mentioned in the application submitted by Surinder Khosla. Subsequent verification revealed that the house number did not exist, suggesting that fictitious details were used to obtain permissions and evade regulatory checks.
In addition, the committee found that several adjoining shops, tenements and structures linked to the nightclub and a nearby resort were constructed illegally on salt pan land, which falls under protected and ecologically sensitive zones. Despite clear violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, the constructions were allowed to remain, the report noted.
The inquiry further stated that the trade licence was issued even though the operators lacked essential permits, licences and mandatory no-objection certificates from competent authorities. It added that Bagkar failed to take corrective action even after a demolition notice was issued and the trade licence had expired.
Despite having multiple opportunities over several months to seal the premises or halt operations, no effective steps were taken, the committee observed. These cumulative lapses, the report concluded, directly contributed to unsafe conditions at the nightclub, ultimately leading to the fatal fire.
The findings of the magisterial committee are expected to form the basis for further administrative and legal action in the case.
