Goa Fire: What Documents Revealing Repeated Irregularities On Birch By Romeo Lane Land Say

Last Updated:December 16, 2025, 14:05 IST

The ‘death trap’ was operating on land that was originally a salt pan — an ecologically sensitive zone, as marked in government records.

Charred remains at the nightclub where a fire broke out in Goa. (File pic/PTI)

The documents accessed by CNN-News18 expose the reality of the now infamous and disputed land on which Birch by Romeo Lane was illegally constructed in Goa. The ‘death trap’ was operating on land that was originally a salt pan — an ecologically sensitive zone, as marked in government records.

A closer examination of the map reveals that this is the very area where the restaurant/nightclub run by the Luthra brothers was set up.

Document 1: Map of the Location

CNN-News18 has learnt that the map, which is the layout plan of the property in question, establishes that the entire region is classified by the Goa government as an ecologically sensitive zone. This means the land cannot be converted into a settlement zone under existing land-use rules. The area shown as a settlement zone on the map was originally declared a salt pan.

Conclusively, this land was never meant to be used for any commercial activity. It was originally owned by Pradeep Ghadi Amolkar, who is also the whistleblower and petitioner in this case.

Documents 2 & 3: Complaint and Demolition Notice

Document 2: The complaint submitted to the Town Planning Department is dated December 18, 2023 (18.12.2023). The contents of the complaint highlight four major irregularities and violations occurring on the ecologically sensitive land by the two respondents. It clearly states that the area is a no-development zone and warns that such construction could lead to a major tragedy.

Document 3: This demolition notice issued by the Panchayat office is dated April 20, 2024 (20.04.2024). The notice was issued after an inspection conducted by Panchayat officials. It recorded unauthorised construction of shops, a restaurant, six structures, and two platforms. The notice, addressed to property owner Surinder Kumar Khosla, also stated that no documentary evidence was produced by him. Consequently, demolition was ordered.

Despite the issuance of this notice, the property continued commercial operations and failed to respond to official complaints and notices sent repeatedly by the authorities.

Document 4: Show-Cause Notice by the Deputy Collector

This show-cause notice, issued by the Deputy Collector and addressed to the landowner Surinder Kumar Khosla, cites violations and highlights that the land was illegally converted for private benefit. The land had been leased to the Luthra brothers. Dated June 24, 2024 (24.06.2024), this notice was issued following the demolition notice by the Panchayat.

The document, issued from the office of the Mamlatdar of Mapusa, Goa, includes a checklist on the second page. One section clearly notes that the purpose for which the land was illegally converted has been identified.

The government document cites provisions under Section 17-A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, which restricts any occupier of hilly, sloping, or low-lying land—including salt pans, paddy fields, and sluice gate areas—from undertaking any such activity. The document also details the land area and measurements, including portions used for landscaping and water-related purposes.

Document 5: Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA)

As per documents from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, it is established that the GCZMA received two complaints regarding the property but did not take action as the site fell outside its jurisdiction. By its own admission, the Authority is mandated to “take measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating, and controlling environmental pollution in Goa."

Under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, all construction, reconstruction, development, repair, and related activities within 100 metres of a river and 500 metres of the sea require prior approval from the Authority.

After receiving the complaints, the Authority conducted a site inspection and prepared a report. In April, it issued a show-cause notice to the property owner, asking why directions to demolish the structures and restore the land to its original condition should not be issued.

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