Crackdown on Luthra brothers: Nightclub Birch By Romeo Lane to be demolished | Goa News
GOA: The Goa government has ordered the demolition of the Birch By Romeo Lane nightclub at Vagator on Tuesday, following a fire that claimed 25 lives at the club’s Birch by Romeo Lane venue in Arpora on Saturday night.Investigations have revealed that the deaths could potentially have been avoided, according to a senior local police officer aware of the probe.
Two local police units — Anjuna police station and the crime branch — had previously issued notices to the club’s owners to submit documents and permissions required to operate. Senior IPS officers, however, allegedly intervened to prevent further action.Also read: The ‘burning’ empire of Luthra brothersThe officer said top officials also pressured local police to close an FIR registered against the club in connection with loud music violations. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Anjuna police inspector Prashal Desai had sought details about the club’s permissions, but a senior IPS officer, now retired, blocked the inquiry.Subsequent attempts by crime branch DSP Rajesh Kumar and Anjuna PI Paresh Naik to pursue violations were also reportedly halted, with officers being instructed not to confront the club owners and, in some cases, to file closure reports. Investigators believe that call records of IPS officers, both serving and retired, could directly link them to the club owners.On Sunday, state revenue minister Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate questioned whether IAS and IPS officers implicated in wrongdoing would face suspension, as three government officials were suspended following the tragedy.Also read: As Goa club burned, they boarded IndiGo plane: Luthra brothers flee to Thailand The suspended officials include former director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, former member-secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board Shamila Monteiro, and former secretary of Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat Reghuvir Bagkar.The state government said demolition of the nightclub was necessary to prevent further risk and to assist in ongoing investigations.
