Goa Launches Crackdown on Nightclubs Ahead of Festive Rush After Deadly Arpora Fire

The Goa government has launched an extensive crackdown on nightclubs flouting safety and licensing norms ahead of the Christmas and New Year tourist rush, days after a devastating fire at a North Goa nightclub killed 25 people.

With the coastal state bracing for its busiest fortnight of the year, multi-department inspection drives have already resulted in the sealing of several prominent nightclubs, while many others face scrutiny, PTI reported.

Officials said joint teams comprising the district administration, Fire and Emergency Services, and police have begun inspections across the North Goa tourism belt.

The action follows the December 6 fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Arpora, which claimed the lives of 20 staff members and five tourists.

“We are inspecting all nightclubs and checking their licences and permissions. Any club found violating norms is being sealed,” Kabir Shirgaonkar, the government officer heading the inspection team, told PTI.

Another official said the teams have been authorised to immediately shut down establishments where violations are detected.

Two prominent clubs sealed

So far, two well-known nightclubs — Goya Club and Cafe CO2 Goa — both located in Vagator, have been sealed. Cafe CO2 Goa is situated on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea.

According to Shirgaonkar, Goya Club was constructed on agricultural land, while Cafe CO2 Goa lacked a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and did not meet structural stability requirements.

In a separate action, the Fire and Emergency Services Department revoked the NOC granted to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna in North Goa.

A surprise inspection at Diaz Pool Club and Bar revealed inadequate fire prevention and safety arrangements requiring immediate upgrades, according to an order issued by Divisional Fire Officer Shripad Gawas.

Probe into Arpora nightclub fire

The enforcement drive coincides with developments in the investigation into the Arpora nightclub fire. Investigators have alleged that Panaji- and Delhi-based entrepreneurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra applied for permission to open Birch using a forged copy of a land agreement, a police official said on Friday, as reported by HT.

The brothers are expected to be confronted with these allegations once they are taken into custody, likely early next week, following their deportation from Thailand.

Repatriation of accused awaited

The Luthra brothers reportedly fled to Phuket within hours of the fire and were later detained by Thai authorities. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said a joint investigation team would bring them back to India.

A civil dispute involving landowners linked to the case is currently pending before a civil court in Goa.

Goa Police officials said they are hopeful of securing custody of the brothers by early next week and that Indian authorities remain in close coordination with their Thai counterparts to ensure their early repatriation.