Birch Nightclub Fire: Panchayat Sarpanch Roshan Redkar, 4 Others Detained, FIR Registered Against Club Owners

New Delhi: In a fresh development in the night club fire incident, the Goa Police have arrested Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar, along with four other individuals, in connection with case on Sunday. These arrests come after the manager of the club was arrested earlier in the day.

Moreover, an FIR has also been registered against Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of the nightclub, who were reportedly absconding after the incident.

The Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub located in the Baga area of Goa's Arpora caught fire on Saturday night claiming the lives of 25 individuals and leaving six injured. Though initial reports suggested a suspected cylinder blast, some local media reports claimed that the blaze may have been triggered by an electric pyro gun used inside the club. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Notice For Demolition From Arpora Panchayat

As the probe into the night club fire incident widens, a show-cause notice from the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat office has surfaced. The notice mentioned that the village panchayat had issued a demolition order against the nightclub in January, 2025. The order stated that the club was “running illegal business" at the location and causing “noise pollution.”

“It is observed that you are running illegal business of Night Club in the property bearing Sy. no. 158/0 & 159/0 situated at Sankwadi, Arpora, Bardez - Goa and also causing noise pollution by playing loud music beyond the permissible limit within the vicinity. It is also observed that you are running illegal business in the name & style of "BIRCH" which is not registered in our office records. Further, as per this office records, the structure in which you are running business activity for which this office has already issued Demolition Order vide no. VP/AN/Notice/2024-25/102 dated 20/04/2024 which is pending before due court for disposal," the notice said.

The show-cause notice dated January 24, 2025 also directed the club to reply within seven days.

What Goa CM Said

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the state government will provide complete assistance in transporting all the bodies of those who died in the incident, to their respective homes. The state government has constituted a dedicated team comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), police and health authorities to ensure the same, he added.  

Speaking about the compensation being provided to those who died in the incident, Chief Minister Sawant said that an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased. He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 to those who were injured through the State Disaster Response Fund.

Elaborating on the response to the incident, he said that the fire department reached the spot 45 minutes after the incident. He described that initially they found two bodies and later they found 23 other. The Chief Minister elaborated that those who were trapped in the underground section of the club died due to suffocation.

Chief Minister Sawant assured that a thorough investigation is ongoing and every detail about the incident will be known in one week. He stressed that no one involved in any wrongdoing related to the incident will be spared and strict action will be taken against them. He also informed that he has directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to take disciplinary action against all accused in the incident.

The Chief Minister said that currently, four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case including the night club's Chief General Manager Rajesh, Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajeev and the Gate Manager. He added that another club operated by the Birch by Romeo group has also been seized. Sawant shared that the government usually does not promote such kind of night clubs and only those who have permission can operate them.

Earlier, speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Sawant shared on Sunday morning that the club's managers and others have already been arrested in the case, and an arrest warrant has been issued against the club's owners.

“An arrest warrant has been issued against the club owners. Managers and others have already been arrested. Whoever is found guilty will be put behind bars. PM Modi called me up this morning and asked for all details. He also asked for details on the injured. I briefed the PM in detail. Goa government will take all steps to ensure that such an incident never happens in the future,” he told ANI.

"This is an unfortunate day. For the first time in Goa's tourism history, such a large fire incident has occurred. 25 people died. I reached the spot at 1.30-2 am, local MLA Michael Lobo accompanied me. All officers were also present there. Fire was doused within half an hour, but at the club where this happened, some people could rush out of it, but some others could not," he added.

Chief Minister Sawant said that he is reviewing the situation closely and has also ordered a magisterial inquiry. He emphasised that those responsible will face strict action. Sawant further said that an inquiry will determine whether fire safety norms and building regulations were flouted. 

Goa Police said the victims include four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of seven other victims are yet to be confirmed. Among the injured, one person has suffered more than 60 per cent burns, while the remaining patients are stable.

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