A court in Mapusa, Goa, delivered significant rulings on Tuesday in the ongoing investigation into the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora. The court rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of two key accused: local sarpanch Roshan Redkar and the suspended former secretary of the panchayat, Raghuvir Bagkar.
Court Proceedings and Bail Applications
The court also took cognizance of a separate bail application filed by Rajib Kumar Modak, the chief general manager of Romeo Lane. Represented by advocate Vinayak Porob, Modak's plea argued that he is a permanent resident of Delhi, was posted at the brand's Indore outlet, and held no operational or decision-making role at the Arpora establishment. The application emphasized that his presence in Goa was limited to a brief visit before the tragic incident on December 6. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 5 to await the investigating officer's reply on Modak's application.
Defense Arguments and Police Opposition
In their defense, Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and former secretary Raghuvir Bagkar presented specific claims to the court. They stated that the panchayat had indeed issued a demolition notice for the structure housing the nightclub, but this action was stayed by the director of panchayats. Bagkar further submitted that he had been transferred from the Arpora panchayat as far back as July 2025.
The Anjuna police, however, strongly opposed their anticipatory bail. In a hard-hitting submission, the police accused the former secretary of playing a "prime role" in making the "illegal structure operational, which directly resulted in mass casualties." They asserted that as a government official, Bagkar was the final authority responsible for supervising the procedure for issuing establishment or trade licenses. The police alleged that he, "in connivance with the sarpanch, misused his position and facilitated the issuance of the licence without following statutory procedure." This alleged collusion is said to have enabled the nightclub to operate illegally in a structure deemed highly unsafe.
Gravity of the Allegations
The police were unequivocal in stressing the seriousness of the accusations. They submitted to the court that the roles of both the former secretary and the sarpanch were "grave, active, and cannot be diluted at this stage" of the investigation. This stance formed the core of their argument for the court to deny any pre-arrest bail, ensuring the individuals remain available for rigorous questioning as the probe into the fire's causes and the lapses in licensing and safety continues.
The court's decision to reject the anticipatory bail applications marks a crucial development, indicating the judiciary's alignment with the police's view on the potential severity of the alleged offenses linked to the nightclub fire.
