(Arpora, Goa) – In a significant twist following the tragic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, a man claiming to be the original owner of the property has alleged that government officials quietly altered the land’s zoning status without his knowledge.
According to a report by The Hindu, Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar, who says he is the rightful owner of the land in Arpora village, claims the property was originally classified as a “salt pan.” He alleges that officials covertly converted it into a “settlement zone” to benefit the club’s operators.
The Allegations The devastating fire, which broke out around midnight on December 6, claimed 25 lives, including staff members and tourists. While the nightclub has been sealed for investigation, Amonkar stated he discovered the zoning irregularity on December 11 while preparing legal documents to approach the High Court regarding the tragedy.
“How can a salt pan be converted into a settlement zone?” Amonkar asked, noting that he received no notice of the change despite being involved in ongoing litigation over the land. He claims the reclassification was done “quietly” by the government to facilitate the commercial use of the property.
A Decades-Long Dispute Amonkar’s connection to the land dates back to 2004, when he reportedly signed a sale agreement with Surinder Kumar Khosla. However, Amonkar claims the deal was withdrawn within six months due to non-payment. Despite this, a nightclub was established on the site, which was eventually taken over by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the current owners of Birch by Romeo Lane.
“For 21 years, I have been fighting in courts to get back my land in Arpora, which has been wrongfully occupied,” Amonkar told reporters.
Official Response When approached regarding these allegations, a senior official from the Goa Town and Country Planning Department declined to comment, citing the ongoing inquiry into the fire incident.
As investigations continue, these new claims regarding land use violations add another layer of complexity to one of Goa’s worst recent tragedies.
