Representational image. (Image source: ANI)
Goa police are examining whether the Kazakhstani dancer who was performing at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub during the deadly fire had the proper permission to work in India. The fire, which tore through the club and killed 25 people, has triggered multiple investigations into safety lapses and possible violations by the establishment.
The dancer, identified as Kristina from Kazakhstan, is now under the scanner of police and other agencies. She was belly dancing on stage when the fire broke out. Officials are trying to find out if she held a valid business visa that allowed her to perform professionally in India. “The matter is under investigation. It is being examined whether she possessed the required business visa to perform professionally in India,” a senior police officer told Times of India.
A viral video from the night of the incident shows electric firecrackers setting the nightclub’s ceiling on fire. In the clip, Kristina and band members can be seen running in fear as the flames spread rapidly and chaos erupts inside the venue.
Posts on her Instagram suggest that she performed at the nightclub regularly, raising concerns about how long she has been in India and what visa she was staying on. This angle has also sparked political debate in the state.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai has criticised the authorities for allowing illegal activities in nightlife hubs. He questioned whether the dancer was working lawfully in the country. “The Kazakhstani dancer who survived the fire… did she have a work permit? Or was she here on a tourist visa?” he said at a press conference, According to TOI. Sardesai demanded a full investigation into dance bars and similar establishments operating in the state.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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