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Probing Goa nightclub fire, police now question 5 panchayat members

The approvals by the panchayat and government departments included trade, excise and food safety licences, a pollution control body’s nod, and three no-objection certificates (NOCs).

3 min readPanajiUpdated: Dec 14, 2025 07:58 AM IST

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A joint enforcement committee, formed in the aftermath of the fire, sealed another nightclub at Ozrant in Vagator for allegedly operating without the requisite licences.

A day after The Indian Express reported that at least seven approvals were granted by the local panchayat in Arpora and government departments allowing Birch by Romeo Lane — where a fire on the night of December 6 killed 25 people — to operate, Goa Police on Saturday recorded the statements of five members of the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat.

The approvals by the panchayat and government departments included trade, excise and food safety licences, a pollution control body’s nod, and three no-objection certificates (NOCs). According to documents, M/S Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP, which operates the restaurant and has Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta as partners, entered into a licence agreement with the property owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, on November 28, 2023, to lease a property called ‘Cordonicho Agor’ at Sankwadi, Arpora, measuring 31,200 square metres.

The Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat has come under scrutiny for issuing an establishment (trade) licence dated December 16, 2023, to the company for running “a bar and restaurant-cum-night club”. The trade licence expired in March 2024. The panchayat also issued three NOCs to property owner Khosla — for an electrical connection, a water connection, and to carry out repair work in the house at Sankwadi.

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In a statement on Saturday, Goa Police said: “The statements of five panch members of Arpora Panchayat have been recorded today as part of the ongoing investigation.” Police said the custody of four accused in the case — Rajiv Modak, chief general manager; Priyanshu Thakur, gate manager; Rajveer Singhania, bar manager; and Vivek Singh, general manager — has been extended by five days.

According to the documents, the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat, Roshan V Redkar, signed off on the establishment licence issued to Birch and on the three NOCs issued to the property owner. The premises continued to operate after the expiry of the trade licence in March 2024. Redkar had earlier claimed that the structure was built without procuring a construction licence, and that the owner had obtained a stay on a demolition notice.

A joint enforcement committee, formed in the aftermath of the fire, sealed another nightclub at Ozrant in Vagator for allegedly operating without the requisite licences.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

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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