Police Hunt Ex-Arpora Sarpanch, Panchayat Secretary in Nightclub Fire Case..

ANJUNA: Police have launched an active search for former Arpora Sarpanch Roshan Redkar and ex-panchayat secretary Raghunath Bagkar after a court rejected their anticipatory bail pleas in connection with the deadly Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire that killed 25 people on December 6, 2025.The two officials, both implicated in alleged lapses that allowed the nightclub to operate illegally, are currently absconding. Officers have reportedly visited Redkar’s residence but he was not at home.The magisterial probe into the tragedy found serious irregularities, including unauthorised construction in an ecologically sensitive salt pan, allocation of house numbers without approvals, and the conversion of a temporary shed into a high-end nightclub without licences.Following the report, the Goa government disqualified Redkar from holding any panchayat office for five years under Section 50(5) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and terminated Bagkar’s services, citing malafide intention and dereliction of duties.Police officials have confirmed that both Redkar and Bagkar are required for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into the nightclub fire, and efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them.