Birch fire case: Suspension of two govt officials revoked

Panaji: State govt revoked the suspension of two Goa cadre officials, including former panchayat director Siddhi Harlankar and then GSPCB member secretary Shamila Monteiro, pending an inquiry in connection with their role in granting permission to nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane after the fire incident in which 25 persons died on Dec 6, 2025.

The directorate of vigilance issued the order revoking the suspension of both officers. A senior govt officer said that, without prejudice to the inquiry against them, the suspension was revoked.




State govt had conducted a magisterial inquiry into the incident, but the report has not been made public.

Goa police on Thursday filed a chargesheet against 13 accused, including nightclub owners Gaurav Luthra, Saurabh Luthra and Ajay Gupta, in connection with the fire tragedy. Police examined 305 witnesses during the probe.

The 4,150-page chargesheet was filed before the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) at Mapusa.

Anjuna police had registered an FIR against the partners, manager, event organiser and other staff of the Arpora-based nightclub for alleged negligence, lack of fire safety equipment and other safety measures, and organising a fire show that led to the blaze claiming 25 lives.