PANAJI: As per a report by Goan newspaper Herald, the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa has denied anticipatory bail to Arpora-Nagoa Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and suspended Panchayat Secretary Raghuvir Bagkar.
Both the accused are likely to move the Vacation Court of the Bombay High Court’s bench at Goa in appeal on Wednesday, sources said.
The Goa police had strongly opposed the anticipatory bail application, citing the seriousness of the involvement of the two persons, who are said to be the brain behind the chain of illegal permissions and NOCs.
It is not sure if the Sessions court has granted the duo any time to approach the High Court.
The Session court’s order is in connection with the tragic Arpora fire on December 6, which claimed 25 lives and injured several others.
Both panchayat officials had sought protection from arrest, but the court rejected their applications, signaling the seriousness of the investigation.
The fire, which devastated a local establishment, prompted widespread outrage and calls for accountability, the police said in their ‘say’.
Goa authorities are continuing their inquiry to determine responsibility and prevent such tragedies in the future, as per the orders of Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant.
According to an official enquiry ordered by the State government, as well as the affidavit submitted by an advocate appointed as an Amicus Curiae by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court in a related case, the majority of the blame for the illegal establishment lies with the Panchayat.
The original case pertains to a civil suit filed by the original owner of the property, who has alleged that the buyer, now an absconding accused in the case, Surinder Kumar Khosla submitted forged documents when buying the property. The High Court converted the case into a Public Interest Litigation and appointed a promient lawyer as an Amicus Curiae to assist the court.
Statements taken from other witnesses and recorded by the police in the case show that the panchayat was submitted various written complaints over time. The sarpanch and the panchayat secretary knew that the club was completely illegal and even the property did not belong to one Surinder Kumar Khosla who submitted allegedly fake documents to prove his ownership.
The panchayat officials knew that the club was on salt pan land and did not meet the requirements of the Fire, Health and other departments. Yet the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat gave the club a trade and establishment license as well as three other NOCs for obtaining electricity connection, water connection and carrying out repairs, read major renovations.
Leave a Reply