The massive fire at Goa’s nightclub that killed 25 people, has put a spotlight on the role of the Arpora village Panchayat. Here, we’re going to dive into how it has emerged as a central figure in the entire controversy.
Arpora Panchayat issued show-cause notice in March, 25
In March this year, the panchayat sent a show-cause notice to Surinder Kumar Khosla, the property owner of nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, as per the documents, accusing him of running illegal operations, creating noise pollution, and running an unregistered business.
This action was part of a larger enforcement drive, which included a demolition order issued on April 20, 2024 (though some reports say it was first issued in January 2024). The order was later put on hold by the Directorate of Panchayats after the property owner filed an appeal.
The show-cause notice said, “It is also observed that you are running illegal business of Night Club in the property bearing Sy. no. 158/0 & 159/0 situated at Sankwadi, Arpora, Bardez – Goa and also causing noise pollution by playing loud music beyond the permissible limit within the vicinity.” The notice further added, “It is also observed that you are running illegal business in the name & style of “BIRCH” which is not registered in our office records.”
Demolition order was issued in April, 24
Highlighting the demolition order, the notice said, “as per this office records, the structure in which you are running business activity for which this office has already issued Demolition Order vide no. VP/AN/Notice/2024-25/102 dated 20/04/2024 which is pending before due court for disposal.” The notice was signed by Raghuvir D Bagkar, Secretary, V.P Arpora.
Gia Coastal Authority received 2 complaints but no action was taken
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority had received two complaints about the property that included the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, where 25 people died on Saturday night, according to The Indian Express. However, the Authority did not take action because it said the property was outside its jurisdiction, according to documents obtained by The Indian Express.
The Authority is responsible for protecting and improving the coastal environment in Goa and preventing pollution. Any construction, repair, or development within 100 metres of a river and 500 metres of the sea requires its prior approval under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules of 2011.
The complaints were filed by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil D Divkar in December 2023, and by Atmaram D Gadekar in January 2025. They alleged that the property owner had violated CRZ rules by building shops, restaurants, and other structures in an environmentally sensitive salt pan area. In fact, the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane was one of the disputed structures.
After receiving the complaints, the Authority conducted a site inspection and prepared a report. In April, it issued a show-cause notice to the owner, asking him to explain why the structures should not be demolished and the land restored.
The report described the club as a hexagon-shaped building of about 550 square metres, partly over a water body. The ground floor housed a kitchen, and the first floor, made with metal framework and coconut leaf roofing, was used as a restaurant under the name Birch by Romeo Lane.
However, in an October meeting, the Authority concluded that the structure was outside the CRZ area and therefore beyond its jurisdiction. It decided to withdraw the show-cause notice and close the case.
The property owner had argued the same, claiming that the structures can be considered legal since they fell outside the CRZ area. He cited a 1996 no-objection certificate from the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat to build a restaurant, staff quarters, a compound wall, and a retaining wall, as well as another permission from 2004 for renovating the existing restaurant.
