The Goa Government has suspended three officials over lapses in granting permissions to the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a massive fire claimed several lives. Those suspended are Dr Shamila Montero of the Pollution Control Board, Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar, and Hadfade-Nagwa Panchayat secretary Raghuveer Bagkar.

 

 

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant earlier confirmed the arrest of four club staff members – Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, Manager Vivek Singh, and employees Rajiv Singhania and Priyanshu Thakur. Arrest warrants have been issued against owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, with a Goa Police team in Delhi to trace them. Local sarpanch Roshan Redkar remains detained for questioning.

 

 

The Chief Minister also announced ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved ₹2 lakh and ₹50,000 from the PMNRF.