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Day after Goa blaze, action, albeit late: Advisory for clubs, arrest from Delhi, and a sealing

In a statement on Instagram, the chairman of the company that ran the nightclub said the management was ‘deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives’.

Charred remains of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub after a fire broke out, claiming the lives of 25 people, in Arpora on Sunday. (Photo/ ANI)Charred remains of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub after a fire broke out, claiming the lives of 25 people, in Arpora on Sunday. (Photo/ ANI)

In the aftermath of the deadly fire at the nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, the Goa Police on Monday detained another employee of the club from Delhi. In Goa, authorities sealed another establishment run by the owners of Romeo Lane and issued a safety advisory to all nightclubs.

According to police sources, they detained Bharat Singh, a resident of Delhi, who was involved in running daily operations at the club. He will be brought to Goa.

A fire at the nightclub, located in North Goa’s Arpora village, claimed the lives of 25 people late Saturday night. Police on Sunday lodged an FIR against the club’s owners, partners, manager, event organiser and other managing staff and charged the accused with culpable homicide. Among those named are the chairman of Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra, his brother Gaurav Luthra and unnamed partners. The FIR flagged a series of glaring lapses: absence of fire safety equipment, no emergency exit, and lack of required permissions/licences. Four people – the club’s chief general manager Rajiv Modak (49), gate manager Priyanshu Thakur (32), bar manager Rajveer Singhania (32), and general manager Vivek Singh (27) – were arrested on Sunday.

Meanwhile, another private shack, ‘Romeo Lane Goa’ in Vagator, run by the same owners, was sealed by government authorities on Sunday for alleged illegalities.

In a statement on Instagram on Monday, Saurabh Luthra said, “The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch. In this hour of irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress, the management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured and conveys its heartfelt condolences with utmost sincerity. The management further affirms that it shall extend every possible form of assistance, support and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity.”

In view of the fire incident, the Goa State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has also issued an advisory to all nightclubs, restaurants, bars, event venues, and similar establishments operating within the state, directing all such establishments to ensure strict compliance with fire safety, electrical safety, emergency preparedness, and structural safety norms prescribed by the competent authorities.

The advisory directed all the establishments to conduct an internal safety audit within 7 days and keep the report ready for inspection by the district administration, fire services, or SDMA-authorised teams.

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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