Exclusive | Goa club fire: Owners ‘knew of blocked emergency exit, booked ticket to Phuket using Kamla Nagar travel agent’

The chargesheet filed in the Goa nightclub fire case reveals several critical lapses that led to the tragedy. The notorious Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, located in the middle of a saltpan, was riddled with safety issues. The interior of the upper ground/deck floor was constructed from combustible materials like dried reed grass, bamboo, wood, and acoustic foam sheets, posing a significant fire hazard.

Despite knowing the risks, the club allowed and facilitated fireworks during events. The main entrance and exit were a narrow concrete footbridge, while the western side door, serving as a potential escape route, had its metal gate locked. The accused were aware of these dangers. Additionally, the chargesheet highlights the involvement of Surinder Kumar Khosla, a UK national, and Roshan Redkar and Raghuvir Bagkar, local officials, who allegedly aided the owners in obtaining licenses and permissions for the illegal establishment.

The application for the trade/establishment licence contained changes in blue ink, while the original application was in black ink, suggesting attempts to manipulate the process. The excise licence was also forged. The accused were well aware of the illegality of the structure and the lack of necessary permissions. They decided to forge documents to secure these licenses.

The fire, which claimed 25 lives, including five tourists, occurred on December 6, 2025. The owners, Ajay Gupta and brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, were subsequently arrested.