Disqualified Sarpanch Surrenders in Mapusa Court After Bombay High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail Plea
In a significant development in the tragic Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire case that claimed twenty-five lives on December 6, 2023, the absconding and disqualified sarpanch of Arpora–Nagoa, Roshan Redkar, surrendered before a court in Mapusa on Thursday. This action came just a day after the Bombay High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, intensifying legal pressure on the accused.
Immediate Arrest and Police Action Following Surrender
Upon his surrender, the court promptly informed the police, leading to Redkar's immediate arrest. Anjuna police inspector Suraj Gawas confirmed that a lookout notice had been issued for Redkar, highlighting the authorities' determined efforts to apprehend him in connection with the devastating blaze at the popular nightclub in Arpora.
Broader Investigation and Administrative Fallout
This surrender marks another step in the ongoing investigation into the fire, which has seen multiple arrests and suspensions. Last week, Anjuna police arrested Raghuvir Bagkar, the former Arpora-Nagoa panchayat secretary, adding to the list of individuals held accountable. In the immediate aftermath of the incident on December 7, the government took swift action by suspending three officials:
- Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, then director/additional director of panchayats
- Shamila Monteiro, then member secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board
- Raghuvir Bagkar, whose services were later terminated by the government
Furthermore, the Goa State Pollution Control Board suspended two of its staff members—scientific assistant Chaitanya Salgaonkar and junior environmental engineer Vijay Harichandra Kansekar—for failing to conduct a proper inspection at Birch by Romeo Lane, underscoring lapses in regulatory oversight.
Magisterial Inquiry Report and Recommendations
A comprehensive magisterial inquiry report into the fire has been submitted, running into 108 pages with over 500 pages of annexures and statements. The report provides sixty detailed recommendations to the state government, outlining necessary actions and preventive measures to avert similar fire incidents in the future. These recommendations aim to enhance safety protocols and ensure stricter enforcement of regulations across entertainment venues in Goa.
The surrender of Roshan Redkar and the ongoing legal proceedings reflect the continued pursuit of justice for the victims and their families, as authorities work to address systemic failures and hold responsible parties accountable in this heartbreaking tragedy.
