High Court Intervenes in Birch Fire Bail Pleas
The High Court has formally issued notices to the Goa Government regarding the anticipatory bail applications of two key figures implicated in the Birch fire case. The pleas were filed by Roshan Redkar, the disqualified Sarpanch of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa, and Raghuvir Bagkar, the recently dismissed Panchayat Secretary. Following the issuance of these notices, the court has decided to adjourn the hearing on the matter until Friday.
The legal proceedings stem from the tragic fire that engulfed the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in Arpora in early December 2025, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 25 people. Both local officials have faced heavy scrutiny from law enforcement and the public for their alleged roles in allowing the establishment to operate without the necessary legal permissions, trade licenses, and critical safety clearances. Following the incident, they were booked by the Anjuna police under serious charges—including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and endangering human lives—which prompted their urgent appeals for pre-arrest bail.
Prior to these High Court bail hearings, the state government took severe administrative action against both individuals based on the findings of a magisterial inquiry. The Directorate of Panchayats immediately disqualified Redkar from his position as Sarpanch, citing the misuse of power. Simultaneously, the government officially dismissed Bagkar from government service, citing persistent and grave dereliction of duty that directly facilitated the illegal operation of the nightclub and culminated in the fatal catastrophe.
