A court in Mapusa has delivered a significant ruling, rejecting the anticipatory bail applications of two former officials from the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat. The court strongly criticized the "glaring omissions and gross illegalities" in the issuance of a trade licence to a club named Birch by Romeo Lane.
Court Exposes Procedural Lapses and Motive
The court's detailed order highlighted that the trade licence was granted "hastily" and "without following the prescribed procedure." It emphasized that the custodial interrogation of former panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar and former sarpanch Roshan Redkar is essential to uncover their motive behind bypassing the rules set by the directorate of panchayats.
Investigations revealed alarming discrepancies, including alterations made in different ink on the trade licence application. The court noted the possibility of the accused misusing their official positions to facilitate the licence issuance improperly.
Timeline of Irregularities and Safety Violations
The sequence of events pointed to a rushed and non-transparent process. The application for the trade licence was submitted on December 11, 2023. Astonishingly, it was discussed in a panchayat meeting just three days later, on December 14, 2023, despite not being on the official agenda. The licence was formally issued on December 16, 2023.
Critically, the licence was issued without obtaining the mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from relevant departments, notably the directorate of fire and emergency services. This lapse enabled the club to operate in gross violation of fire safety norms, putting public safety at risk.
Demolition Order Does Not Absolve Liability
The court made a crucial observation regarding subsequent actions. It stated that merely because a demolition order was later issued for the structure in question, the panchayat secretary and sarpanch would not be absolved of potential criminal liability linked to the licence issuance.
"Although a demolition order was issued relating to the structure in question, the same was done only upon receipt of a complaint," the court stated. It further noted there is prima facie evidence that the club continued operations even after the trade licence had expired and the demolition order was in place.
This case underscores serious concerns about governance and procedural integrity at the local panchayat level in Goa, with the court insisting on a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
