Overview
- The December 6 blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora killed 25 people and injured six.
- Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat failed to act despite complaints and noted operations continued despite a demolition order.
- The court said the case reflects wider problems in Goa, including illegal structures, indiscriminate licences and appellate stays that allow businesses to keep running.
- Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa was appointed amicus curiae and asked to file an exhaustive memo covering statewide issues across local bodies and authorities.
- Multiple probes have flagged irregularities and missing permissions; police arrested five managers or staff, and co-owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra were detained in Thailand after fleeing.