A magisterial inquiry committee probing the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa has questioned the original landowner, Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, and Arpora–Nagoa panchayat sarpanch Roshan Redkar as part of its investigation into the incident that claimed 25 lives.
Mr. Amonkar was summoned before the committee on Saturday (December 13, 2025) at 3.30 p.m. and was questioned for nearly seven hours, until 10.30 p.m. His counsel, advocate Prasenjeet Dhage, described the proceedings as “intensive and vigorous,” stating that the panel sought to understand the circumstances and lapses that led to the tragedy. “My client had a warrant of appearance before the committee,” he said, adding that the inquiry focused on why the incident occurred.
The Goa government has constituted the inquiry committee under the chairmanship of North Goa district magistrate Ankit Yadav to investigate the December 6 fire incident.
Arpora–Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar also appeared before the committee and told reporters that he cooperated fully and answered all questions put to him. Mr. Redkar has already secured pre-arrest bail from a local court in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the Goa police have arrested five managers and staff members of the nightclub. The club’s co-owners, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, have been detained in Thailand after allegedly fleeing the country following the incident.
In the wake of the tragedy, state authorities have intensified inspections of tourist establishments across Goa. On Saturday, officials sealed Café CO2 Goa, a prominent nightclub perched on the Ozrant Cliff in Vagator, North Goa, and revoked the Fire and Emergency Services Department’s no-objection certificate (NOC) of another establishment.
A government-appointed inspection team found that Café CO2 Goa, which has a seating capacity of 250, was operating without a valid fire safety NOC and lacked structural stability. Earlier this week, Goya Club, also located in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of safety and licensing norms.
