Goa Nightclub Fire Probe Reveals Illegal Construction, Lapses in Licensing

January 1, 2026

Panaji: A magisterial inquiry ordered by the government into the devastating fire at a Goa nightclub earlier this month, which claimed the lives of 25 people, has revealed shocking findings. According to the inquiry report, the nightclub where the tragedy occurred was illegally constructed on a salt pan (water body) and was operating without the necessary permits.

Illegal Construction on a Salt Pan

The inquiry report states that the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, located in Arpora village of North Goa, was built on a salt pan, a waterlogged area. Under existing laws and regulations, any construction in such areas is strictly prohibited. This construction is a clear violation of the provisions of the Goa Land Revenue Code and the Coastal Zone Regulation.

Nightclub Operating Without a Valid License

According to the report, the nightclub’s trade license expired on March 31, 2024, yet the club was allowed to continue operating. Despite the license not being renewed, the Arpora-Nagoa Gram Panchayat (village council) neither sealed the premises nor informed the relevant departments.

Panchayat’s Negligence and Alleged Collusion

The inquiry revealed that the Gram Panchayat secretary admitted to not informing other departments about the non-renewal of the trade license, even though the approval of those departments was contingent on the Panchayat’s license. The Sarpanch (village head) also acknowledged that no steps were taken to close the nightclub or inform higher authorities after the license expired.

Violation of Rules and Administrative Lapses

The report states that the conduct of the Panchayat officials points towards collusion with the nightclub owners and constitutes a violation of government conduct rules. The inquiry found clear administrative negligence.

Irregularities in License Issuance

The magisterial inquiry also found serious procedural flaws in the original trade license issued in December 2023. Several entries in the application form appear to have been added later in a different ink, including the house number and the description of the premises as a bar and nightclub.

Required documents were not attached

According to the investigation, several mandatory documents were not attached to the license application. These included approved building plans, land records, and photographs of the site, which are required as per the regulations.