Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Goa Nightclub Flagged for Illegal Construction Before Deadly Fire
A nightclub in Goa called Birch by Romeo Lane had a big fire last month that killed 25 people.
The government found out that the nightclub was built illegally.
The original owners of the land, Pradeep and Sunil, complained that the new owners, Saurabh and Gaurav, built the nightclub by breaking rules.
They demolished an old gate and built on land that wasn't supposed to be used for buildings.
The government checked and found out that the nightclub was unsafe and was built in the wrong place.
The new owners said they had all the right papers, but they didn't show them when asked.
The Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, was flagged for illegal construction by revenue officials in 2024.
A fire at the nightclub last month resulted in 25 fatalities.
Original property owners filed a complaint on December 21, 2023, alleging illegal construction and demolition of a traditional sluice gate.
The complaint highlighted unsafe structures, misutilization of open spaces, and sewage discharge into the Baga river.
An inspection confirmed illegalities, including construction inside a salt pan and landfilling over 25,750 square metres.
- Who
- Original owners: Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar; Current operators: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra
- What
- Illegal construction and subsequent fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub
- When
- Fire: Last month; Complaint filed: December 21, 2023; Illegal construction flagged: 2024
- Where
- Arpora, North Goa
- Why
- Construction was done illegally by demolishing a traditional sluice gate and converting land without proper authorization
- Location
- Arpora, North Goa
- Date of Fire
- Last month (exact date not specified)
- Fatalities
- 25
- Complaint Filed
- December 21, 2023
- Illegal Construction Flagged
- 2024
- Complainants
- Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar
- Current Operators
- Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra
- Land Area Affected
- 25,750 square metres
