Goa Police have intensified their crackdown in the Arpora nightclub fire tragedy by issuing a Look Out Circular against Roshan Redkar, the sarpanch of the Nagova Arpora Panchayat. The move comes in connection with the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub that claimed 25 lives in December 2025 and sparked widespread public outrage over alleged official protection extended to an illegal establishment.
According to the police, Redkar is accused of shielding the nightclub’s operators, brothers Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, and allowing the venue to function despite serious and repeated violations of safety and regulatory norms. Investigators allege that the club continued operating without mandatory no-objection certificates and statutory permissions, even after authorities had issued a demolition order.
The fire, which broke out on December 6, 2025, led to a multi-agency investigation examining possible lapses and complicity by local officials. As scrutiny widened, police summoned Redkar for questioning. However, he initially secured interim bail from a magistrate’s court. Subsequently, his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Bombay High Court’s Goa Bench, after which he allegedly went into hiding.
Police officials said the Look Out Circular was issued after Redkar became untraceable, with the primary objective of preventing him from fleeing the country. Investigators believe his role was crucial in enabling the nightclub to evade enforcement action over a prolonged period, despite documented violations and complaints.
The probe has already led to arrests of other officials. Last week, Anjuna police arrested Panchayat Secretary Raghuveer Bagkar for allegedly facilitating the club’s continued operation and failing to act against it despite clear violations and the existence of a demolition order. Authorities have indicated that further action may follow as the investigation continues to uncover the extent of official involvement in the tragedy.
