The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has converted the civil suit linked to the deadly Arpora nightclub fire into a PIL, stressing accountability after 25 deaths. The court also sought answers from the Goa government over illegal permissions and safety lapses.
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GOA: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a crucial step in the aftermath of the tragic Arpora nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, which claimed the lives of 25 people on December 6, 2025. The court has converted a civil suit filed against the nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), emphasizing the urgent need to hold responsible parties accountable for the disaster.
Court Orders and Observations
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Prithviraj Chavan, stated that
“someone has to be held accountable in such kind of cases.”
The court highlighted serious lapses by local authorities, noting that the local panchayat failed to take suo motu action despite repeated complaints about the nightclub’s illegal operations.
The Bench also pointed out that commercial activities continued in the nightclub even after a demolition order was issued, raising serious concerns about public safety and regulatory enforcement in the state.
Petitioners and Legal Representation
The PIL was initiated by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was constructed. Their petition drew attention to “the alarming pattern of statutory violations that remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order.”
Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, representing the petitioners, has been appointed as amicus curiae by the court and has been directed to submit a detailed affidavit regarding the violations and irregularities.
The Goa High Court has directed the state government to provide a detailed report on the process of granting permissions to nightclubs and similar establishments. This move is aimed at ensuring stricter adherence to safety norms and regulatory compliance in the future.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for January 8, 2026.
Background
Preliminary investigations reveal that the fire began in the basement of the nightclub around midnight. The blaze then spread rapidly to the first floor, which housed the bar and restaurant area, resulting in mass casualties and extensive structural damage.
Authorities have also alleged that the nightclub was operating without a valid license, further intensifying scrutiny on the Luthras.
Investigations into the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane revealed multiple irregularities, including a lack of necessary permissions to operate the nightclub. The tragedy has sparked public outrage and brought to light systemic failures in the enforcement of safety and construction regulations in Goa.
The petitioners emphasized that these violations threaten public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law, urging the authorities to take strict action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Goa Nightclub Fire
