The Bombay High Court has scheduled a crucial hearing for Friday, January 9, concerning the anticipatory bail applications of two former officials linked to the devastating Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire in Goa. The tragic incident claimed the lives of 25 people.
Court Directs Hearing for Disqualified Officials
The High Court bench directed that the pleas of Roshan Redkar, the disqualified sarpanch of Arpora Nagoa panchayat, and Raghuvir Bhagkar, a dismissed secretary, be listed for hearing. This decision came after the two approached the higher court following the rejection of their anticipatory bail applications by a lower court.
Lower Court's Stern Observations
The lower court had denied them pre-arrest bail, emphasizing that their custodial interrogation was essential. The court stated it was necessary to uncover their motive behind issuing a trade licence to the nightclub hastily and without following the mandated procedure.
Investigations presented before the court revealed serious lapses. There were glaring omissions and gross illegalities identified in the process of granting the trade licence to the establishment, which was operating from an illegal construction site.
Licence Issued Without Crucial Clearances
The court noted that the trade licence was issued in the absence of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from other concerned departments. Most critically, a vital fire safety NOC was missing. This oversight enabled the club's management to run illegal operations while flagrantly violating fundamental fire safety norms, ultimately leading to the catastrophic fire.
The case continues to unfold as the High Court prepares to examine the arguments for anticipatory bail this Friday, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings following the horrific fire tragedy.
