In a decisive move holding local authorities accountable for a tragic incident, the directorate of panchayats in Goa on Wednesday took stringent action against two officials. The directorate disqualified Roshan Redkar as the sarpanch of Arpora–Nagoa panchayat and barred him from contesting or holding any panchayat post for five years. Simultaneously, it dismissed panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar from service.
Accountability for Fatal Lapses
The severe punitive measures stem from an official inquiry into the catastrophic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives. The directorate found that both Redkar and Bagkar committed grave lapses and irregularities that directly contributed to the tragedy.
Panchayats director Mahadev Araundekar, in his detailed order, stated that the sarpanch and secretary failed to act despite having ample opportunity. He pointed out that they did not carry out the demolition of the nightclub, which was a critical oversight.
Evasion of Responsibility and Gross Neglect
The order revealed that before the magisterial inquiry, both Redkar and Bagkar provided statements that attempted to evade responsibility for the irregularities. Furthermore, Secretary Bagkar was found absconding and evading arrest after the incident.
Director Araundekar's order was scathing in its assessment of Bagkar's conduct. It stated that Bagkar "exhibited gross neglect and dereliction of duties, unprofessional approach, doubtful integrity", thereby violating provisions of civil service rules and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act. The director explicitly linked this misconduct to the tragic outcome, stating it resulted in the deaths of 25 people.
Breach of Public Trust
The order was equally critical of Sarpanch Roshan Redkar's role. It stated that Redkar "acted detrimentally to the interest of the panchayat." He presided over meetings where the serious irregularities were either ignored or tacitly approved.
"The failure of the sarpanch is not merely administrative; it is a breach of the public trust that resulted in a catastrophe," Director Araundekar emphasized in his order. This highlights the profound ethical and governance failure at the heart of the case, moving beyond simple procedural error to a fundamental betrayal of the community's faith.
The actions by the directorate on Wednesday send a strong message about accountability for public officials in Goa. By disqualifying the elected sarpanch and dismissing the appointed secretary, the authorities have underscored that lapses in duty leading to loss of life will incur the highest professional consequences.
