Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that the state government will initiate an inquiry against IAS and IPS officers accused of obstructing action against Birch by Romeo Lane, the nightclub where 25 people died in a tragic incident on Saturday night. Sawant said the officers allegedly stalled police investigations and pressured them to file closure reports related to persistent noise pollution complaints.
“No One Will Be Spared,” Says CM
Speaking to TOI, Sawant stated that he will formally write to the Union government seeking action against the officers.
“IPS and IAS officers come under the Central government. I will write to the Union government to act against them. I will write negative remarks in their confidential reports—that is within my authority. Nobody will be spared,” he said.
The chief minister clarified that Goa Police Service and Goa Public Service officers should not interpret these actions as targeting local cadres. He asserted that he has acted against IAS and IPS officers whenever illegalities have come to his attention.
IPS Officers Allegedly Blocked Action Against Noisy Club
The controversy erupted after reports indicated that the tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora might have been prevented had top IPS officers not interfered with routine police proceedings.
According to senior officials, both Anjuna police and the Crime Branch had issued notices to the club demanding licenses and permissions required to legally operate. However, senior IPS officers allegedly prevented further action, instructing local police to halt their inquiries and pressuring them to close the noise pollution case.
Past Actions Against Senior Bureaucrats
Sawant cited past incidents to underline that action has always been taken against errant officers:
Following the Shirgao Jatra stampede, Sawant acted against then North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal and collector Sneha Gitte, transferring them immediately.
“Till date, I have given them only side postings in Goa,” he said.
The CM revealed that he personally wrote to the Union government seeking the transfer of former Goa DGP Jaspal Singh, who allegedly pressured Anjuna police to demolish a house in Assagao. Singh was subsequently transferred.
Sawant also mentioned action against former DIG A. Koan, who was suspended by the Union Home Ministry in August 2023 after he was reportedly caught in a drunken state and misbehaving with a woman at a Calangute pub.
Inquiry Expected to Intensify Scrutiny
The CM’s strong remarks and the formal inquiry are expected to intensify scrutiny on senior bureaucrats over alleged interference in police investigations, particularly in high-profile commercial operations operating outside legal frameworks.
Read also: IFS Officer Sanjay Sood Appointed PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Himachal Pradesh
