Land Ownership Dispute Sparks Controversy Over Nightclub Fire Tragedy

Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar claims his land was wrongfully converted for a nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, where a deadly fire recently occurred. He accuses the government of changing land zoning without notice and is fighting a court battle to reclaim ownership.

A land ownership dispute has intensified following a tragic nightclub fire in Goa. Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar alleges that his property was transformed from a salt pan into a settlement zone without his consent to benefit the venue, Birch by Romeo Lane.

The nightclub, site of a recent devastating fire that claimed 25 lives, was initially set up by Surinder Kumar Khosla before being acquired by Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. Amonkar contends he entered a sale agreement with Khosla in 2004, which was retracted due to non-payment.

Amid ongoing litigation, Amonkar discovered a recent zoning change as he prepared to move to high court against the club. A senior Goa Town and Country Planning official noted that an inquiry is pending and declined to comment further.

(With inputs from agencies.)