A court in Mapusa, Goa, has prolonged the interim anticipatory bail granted to the sarpanch of Arpora Nagoa panchayat, Roshan Redkar, and its suspended secretary, Raghuvir Bhagkar. The judicial protection is now valid until December 23, which is the date scheduled for the next hearing in the case.
Defence Argues No Link to Homicide Charges
During the proceedings, Advocate Nitin Sardesai, representing Sarpanch Redkar, presented a detailed argument before the court. He firmly contested the connection between the issuance of a trade licence and the serious charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder that have been invoked.
Sardesai explained to the court that the trade licence in question was granted back in 2023. He stated he could not have foreseen an incident involving a Russian dance performance where fireworks led to a ceiling fire. "The licence was not granted with that intention," Sardesai emphasized in a conversation with the media after the hearing.
Panchayat's Jurisdiction and Collective Responsibility
The defence lawyer clarified the scope of the panchayat's authority. He argued that the sarpanch was acting within his legal rights to issue licences for businesses operating within the panchayat's area. However, he pointed out that this permission does not override other laws or automatically guarantee approvals from departments like electricity or water.
"Granting this licence doesn't mean everyone will automatically grant these licences," Sardesai stated. He described it as a preliminary nod, indicating the panchayat has no objection to the business, for which a licence fee is paid.
Sardesai strongly defended his client, questioning why the sarpanch was being singled out. He raised critical questions about the role of other authorities, particularly the police. "Despite all their sleuths and intelligence, they don't know there's a club functioning illegally. They could have stopped it... What were the police doing? Why is the sarpanch being made a sacrificial goat?" he asked the court, arguing that the decision was collective and other agencies failed in their duties.
The case continues to unfold, with the next legal chapter set for December 23 at the Mapusa court.
