‘Guilty won’t be spared’: Goa CM Sawant orders magisterial probe into Aprora clubfire incident

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry after 25 people were killed in a massive fire at a nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora on Sunday night.

The Goa CM said that managers of the club and others have already been arrested in the case, and an arrest warrant has been issued against the owners of the club.

“This is an unfortunate day. For the first time in Goa’s tourism history, such a big incident of fire has occurred. 25 people died.I reached the spot at 1.30-2 am, local MLA Michael Lobo accompanied me. All officers were also present there. Fire was doused within half an hour, but the club where this happened, some people could rush out of it, but some others could not”, CM Sawant said.

The CM added that a few people died of suffocation. “As per preliminary information, four people were tourists, and the rest were employees at the club. I express my condolences over their demise and express sympathies to their families. May the soul of the deceased rest in peace.”

“They will be provided compensation by the government. Six  people who are in the hospital are being given the best medical treatment at Goa Medical College. I have spoken with the Dean of the College. We have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. What permissions the club obtained and who granted them will be inquired into”, he added.

The Goa CM said that it is to be seen whether the fire safety norms and building construction norms were followed. “An arrest warrant has been issued against the club owners. Managers and others have already been arrested. Whoever is found guilty will be put behind bars. PM Modi called me up this morning and asked for all details. He also asked for details on the injured. I briefed the PM in detail…Goa Govt will take all steps to ensure that such an incident never happens in future,” he said.

A magisterial inquiry has been launched into the devastating fire at a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora, Goa, which claimed 25 lives. Authorities have visited the site, summoned all relevant documents, and are investigating lapses that allowed the club to operate despite expired licenses, while the state government is extending full support to victims’ families, a press note said.

On Monday, the magisterial inquiry was initiated and the committee visited the site and called for all relevant documents. Further, it is noted that the sarpanch had signed NoCs for electricity and water connections, house repairs, and a trade licence, amongst other permissions. The premise continued to run after the expiry of the trade licence since March 2024. Under Section 72-A of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, the local body is empowered to seal such premises. However, they failed to do so.

Identification of all the deceased has been conducted. So far, the mortal remains of 20 have been shifted to their native place. The government has provided complete support to the victims for transportation of the deceased along with the next of kin to their native place.

The Revenue authorities have sealed two other commercial establishments, including one named Romeo Lane, and all documents are under scrutiny. Meanwhile, a committee has been constituted to audit safety standards of similar clubs and establishments, with work on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) already under way.

Following the filing of the First Information Report (FIR), the Goa police dispatched a team to Delhi to raid the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. Since they were not available, notices under appropriate legal provisions were pasted on their residences. By the evening of December 7, a Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against both at the request of the Goa police.

The Bureau of Immigration in Mumbai confirmed that both accused had flown to Phuket on flight 6E 1073 at 5:30 am on December 7, immediately after the incident, indicating an intent to evade investigation. Goa police are coordinating with the Interpol Division of CBI to apprehend Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra at the earliest. Additionally, Bharat Kohli was apprehended in Delhi and brought to Goa on transit remand for further questioning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased in the fire mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured will be given Rs 50,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

At least 25 people were killed after a major fire broke out at a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora on Sunday. The blaze was reported around midnight, and emergency teams rushed to the spot. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control. (ANI)