Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 27: The state government-appointed Magisterial Inquiry Committee has submitted its report on the tragic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora that claimed 25 lives on the night of December 6, pointing to serious lapses by multiple government departments in granting permissions and clearances.

The report, submitted to the Chief Secretary on December 23, has reportedly identified the Arpora village panchayat as playing a pivotal role in issuing key approvals, including the trade and repair licences, No Objection Certificates for water and power connections, health certificate and other initial permissions. These approvals, sources said, formed the basis on which several other authorities subsequently cleared the establishment.

Apart from the Arpora panchayat, responsibility has also been fixed on departments such as Revenue, Panchayat, Town and Country Planning, Health, and Fire and Emergency Services, with the committee recommending disciplinary action and possible criminal liability against concerned officers.

The four-member committee, headed by the North Goa Collector and constituted on December 8, was tasked with reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the incident and fixing accountability. It sought additional time to verify documents and examine officials before submitting its findings.

The inquiry reportedly raised serious concerns over the functioning of the Arpora panchayat, particularly the grant of licences and NOCs allegedly without proper site verification or adherence to statutory norms. Corrective and preventive measures, including improved inter-departmental coordination, have been recommended to prevent similar incidents.

Several officials connected with the approvals were questioned during the probe, including suspended Goa State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary Shamila Monteiro, former Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, Arpora–Nagoa Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and suspended village panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar.

The devastating fire claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members, while six others were injured. Preliminary findings had indicated that the blaze may have been triggered by electrical fireworks used inside the premises, though a possible short circuit has also been cited as a contributing factor.