Goa Minister Clarifies Government Had No Role in Halting Nightclub Demolition After Tragic Fire

Panaji: In the wake of the tragic fire at a Goa nightclub that claimed 25 lives, Panchayat Minister Mavin Godinho clarified that the government was not directly involved in preventing the demolition of the nightclub ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’. The incident has triggered widespread outrage over safety lapses and regulatory oversight.

Government Not Responsible for Stay Orders

Minister Godinho stated that the stay on the nightclub’s demolition was issued by a quasi-judicial authority, not the government. “The government did not instruct anyone to grant a stay. Gram Panchayats are autonomous bodies, and the government cannot exercise direct control over them in such matters,” he explained.

Administrative Actions and Oversight

Following the incident, the former director of the Panchayat Department, Siddhi Harlankar, has been suspended. Minister Godinho added that multiple departments were involved in the case and that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was personally monitoring the situation. He also assured that the government would formulate new SOPs to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Stay Granted to Club Owners

Earlier, the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat had issued a notice to demolish the nightclub, which was allegedly constructed without proper permissions on unstable, waterlogged land. Local residents had lodged complaints in December 2023, warning that the structure posed a serious risk. However, the nightclub owners secured a stay order, allowing the club to continue operations despite the known hazards.

Minister Godinho emphasized that the government’s hands were tied due to the quasi-judicial nature of the stay and pledged stricter oversight and enforcement measures going forward.