Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday informed that four people have been arrested in connection with the deadly fire at a restaurant-club in North Goa’s Arpora that claimed the lives of 25 people.
‘Fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical fire crackers’
The chief minister revealed that the preliminary reports suggested that the fire broke out due to the bursting of some electrical fire crackers inside the club. The arrested persons are Rajiv Modak, Chief General Manager; Vivek Singh, General Manager; Rajveer Singhania, Bar Manager; and Priyanshu Thakur, Gate Manager. An FIR has been registered against the owners, Saurav Luthra and Gaurav Luthra.
#WATCH | Fire at a restaurant in North Goa’s Arpora, claiming 25 lives | Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, "At present, four people have been arrested… We have already sealed the other club of Romeo Lane. The government does not promote any illegal nightclub…"
Goa DGP Alok Kumar… pic.twitter.com/4FGA5AEdiy---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025
The fire began at “Birch By Romeo Lane” in Arpora village and claimed the lives of 25 people, leaving many injured. Sawant said that the other club by Romeo Lane has been sealed.
While addressing a press conference, the chief minister said, “At present, four people have been arrested. We have already sealed the other club of Romeo Lane. The government does not promote any illegal nightclub.”
CM promises strict action
The chief minister has instructed Goa Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar that no negligence will be tolerated at any level and those who allowed to run the nightclub by overlooking the violation, they will be suspended.
The Goa government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the victims’ kin, who lost their lives in the deadly fire at a restaurant-club in North Goa’s Arpora. CM Pramod Sawant said that Rs 50,000 each will be given to those injured in the mishap.
Team constituted to transport the deceased
CM Sawant said that a team comprising police personnel and health authorities has been constituted to transport the deceased to their respective homes. The Goa CM informed that the government will ensure that disciplinary action is taken against the culprit.
“The ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakhs will be provided to the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured will be sanctioned through the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) fund. The government shall provide complete assistance for the transportation of the deceased to their homes. A dedicated team comprising the SDM, Police and Health Authorities have been constituted for the same. I also directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to take disciplinary actions,” Sawant said.
CM: Magisterial inquiry to be conducted
The Goa government has constituted a committee comprising the District Magistrate (DM) and other top officials from the police, forensic, fire, and emergency services. Sawant said that a decision has been taken to conduct a Magisterial inquiry into the fire incident. The government has directed that the report into the procedural lapse that led to the incident be submitted within a week.
“I have convened an urgent and high-level meeting today with my concerned officers including Chief Secretary, DGP, IGP, Secretary, Revenue Collector, North SP, I have discussed regarding the cause of the incident and after having the detailed discussions I have taken the decision to conduct the Magisterial Inquiry through the committee comprising of the District Magistrate, SP South, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Director Forensics regarding the procedural lapses that resulted in the mischief and to submit the report to the government within a week. DGP has directed to take the strict punitive actions against the culprit, including the owner, manager of the club and those who have issued the permissions,” Sawant said.
Govt to conduct audit against clubs operating without valid permission
“The committee shall be constituted under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Revenue for conducting the audit of such clubs, business establishments, etc., which are operating without valid permissions and wherein there is a likelihood of gathering of people in large numbers,” he added.
The Goa CM said that the government-appointed committee has framed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deter such mishaps in the future.
“An SOP has been framed by this committee for all such establishments to ensure such incidents shall not be repeated in future. The advisory issued by SDMA for all clubs, restaurants and other commercial establishments wherein the likelihood of significant footfall is there to ensure and operate with valid permissions and adequate safety provisions,” Sawant added.
