A public interest litigation has been filed in the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court demanding a court-monitored investigation into the fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, which claimed 25 lives on December 7.
The PIL has been filed by social activist Aishwarya Salgaonkar, who alleged that the nightclub was functioning without any valid construction licence and continued operations despite multiple demolition orders issued against it.
According to the petition, the tragedy was the result of a “systematic failure” on the part of municipal, panchayat and district authorities to enforce statutory safety norms.
The PIL points to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s public admission that the nightclub had not complied with fire safety requirements, had congested entry and exit points, and lacked proper ventilation, which allegedly led to most deaths by suffocation.
The plea states this reflects a “shocking failure” to enforce the most basic safety measures intended to protect lives, and warns that in absence of strong judicial intervention, similar illegal establishments may continue to operate unchecked.
The petition urges the High Court to:
- Constitute a court-monitored Special Investigation Team to probe the fire incident.
- Set up a judicial commission headed by a retired High Court judge to inquire into the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
- Direct the Goa government to conduct a state-wide fire safety audit of all nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, bars and beach shacks.
- Order the demolition of structures operating without requisite permissions or fire-safety clearances.
The matter was mentioned on Tuesday before a bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan seeking urgent hearing. The court said it would take up the petition on December 16.
Birch by Romeo Lane, a well-known party destination, became a death trap when a massive blaze swept through the premises, killing 25 individuals, including employees and tourists. The tragedy has triggered widespread public outrage and renewed concerns over unregulated nightlife infrastructure in Goa.
