log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JANUARY 20, 2026 GOA Nitin Nabin is BJP national president NEW DELHI: Five-time Bihar MLA Nitin Nabin was on Monday elected unopposed as the BJP national president, the youngest ever to occupy the top party post. Nabin will be formally declared as BJP president on Tuesday signalling a generational shift in its top organizational leadership and a new era in the party, which was founded in 1980, the same year he was born. 39 killed in Spain train collision ADAMUZ: Spanish police said that at least 39 people died in the high-speed train collision late Sunday in the south of the country, as efforts to recover bodies continue with authorities expecting the death toll to rise. Environmental fund rules notified PANAJI: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Environmental (Protection) Fund Rules, 2026 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The rules outline how funds collected from penalties for violations under the Environment Protection Act, Air Act, and Water Act can be utilised. The guidelines list 11 activities, including the installation and maintenance of monitoring systems. Pak may pull out of T20 World Cup NEW DELHI: In a fresh twist, the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering pulling out of the T20 World Cup if the Bangladesh stand-off over moving their matches out of India is not resolved, said media reports. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has reportedly contacted PCB seeking help.   >> See pg 12 Silver, gold prices touch new highs NEW DELHI: Silver prices surged Rs 10,000 on Monday to breach the record Rs 3 lakh-per-kilogram mark in the national capital, driven by strong demand in domestic and global markets. Gold prices also witnessed robust gains. The yellow metal climbed Rs 1,900 to Rs 1,48,100 per 10 grams. RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Man, son assaulted over rent-a-bike business dispute in Saligao Decoding your regular headaches and when to seek help ACCUSED TARGETED MOSTLY RUSSIAN WOMEN, SLIT THEIR THROATS OR SUFFOCATED THEM, REVEALS INITIAL PROBE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As Goa police proceed cautiously with the investigation into the killing of two Russian nationals -- Elena Kasthanova and Elena Vaneeva -- disturbing details are emerging about the accused, Alexei Leonov. Police sources said all three were connected to the wedding and entertainment circuit, a link now central to the inquiry. Police teams are tracing their contacts with event organisers and venue operators. “The trio may have been hired by organisers or venue managers to perform at their events. There is also a possibility they were engaged by private individuals... Our effort is to reconstruct their movements, map their professional and personal networks, and identify any interactions that could offer further clues,” a senior officer told The Goan. Leonov, who has been living in India since 2023, allegedly confessed to murdering both women for financial reasons. Police, however, are PROBING QUESTIONS: FOOD FOR THOUGHT „„Was the alleged motive purely financial, or was money merely a trigger for deeper and more complex behaviour? „„Was Leonov a calculated predator who used charm, and the comfort of shared nationality, to gain trust before allegedly striking? „„Did his movements through Himachal Pradesh and Goa, particularly around known party-circuit locations, point to any drug-related links? „„Are the confirmed murders the only crimes connected to Leonov? „„What was the nature of his lifestyle since his arrival in India? „„Did landlords who rented him accommodation ever seek police verification, as mandated? treating his statements with caution due to inconsistencies and repeated changes during interrogation. Preliminary questioning suggests Leonov displays 'psychopathic tendencies'. “He claimed he would befriend foreign nationals, mostly fellow Russians, and confessed that the method of killing was either slitting the throat or suffocating the victims,” the source added. Concern has deepened after Leonov claimed involvement in another killing, reportedly a 40-year-old woman from Assam, though police have stated no body matching that description has been traced. In an official statement issued last Saturday, Goa Police confirmed that Leonov admitted to murdering Kasthanova and Vaneeva. The motive given was a “monetary dispute”. However, police officials said the motive may be more complex. “While a financial dispute may have triggered the confirmed murders, his disclosures suggest obsessive relationships with both women, which appear to have escalated into violence,” the source added. Leonov told police he was in relationships with both women and was living with them, though police stressed that all claims are being independently verified. Kasthanova, a go-go dancer who worked as an usher at weddings, arrived in Goa on December 24, 2025. Her body was found on January 15 in Govt draws the line, fire NOC must for all tourism activities RULES SEEK TO STREAMLINE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION & RENEWAL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major safety crackdown exposing deep-rooted compliance lapses in the tourism sector, the Tourism Department has made fire safety clearance mandatory for all tourism-related activities, including shacks, homestays and small operators. The move follows revelations that more than half of the State’s tourism establishments are functioning without a valid Fire Safety No Objection Certificate (NOC). As per a notification issued by the Department, a Fire Department NOC will now be compulsory for both new registrations and renewals of a wide range of tourism-related activities. These include hotels, water sports operations, temporary huts and shacks on private property, travel agents, adventure sports such as paragliding, spice plantations and homestays. The notification has been issued as part of a new set of 026 IN SHORT >> Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 2 11 ‘Psychopath’ angle emerges in murders of 2 Russian women GOA rules aimed at rationalizing and streamlining the mandatory documentation required for the registration and renewal of various tourist services, officials said. In another significant change, the department has tightened norms for residential properties being used for tourism or commercial hospitality purposes. All residential units, apartments and villas proposed to be used for such activities will now have to submit a NOC from the con- ON ,2 NEW LENS ON GOA’S HINDU TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE FROM STAGE TO SCREEN: PRAJAKTA’S EVOLVING ARTISTIC PATH The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 213 A bioremediation band-aid? Scepticism clouds WRD’s project to clean Sal >PG 8 Facebook.com/thegoan 6 JAN 1 cerned housing society, resident welfare association, homeowners’ association, a majority (over 50 per cent) of residents, or the builder/ promoter, as applicable. This requirement applies to both new hotel registrations and renewals. Under the revised framework, hotels see one of the most substantial jumps in >Continued on P5 Unity Mall: CM to hold meeting with Chimbel locals on Wed her rented house in Arambol. According to the FIR, Leonov allegedly assaulted her, tied her hands behind her back with a rope and slit her throat with a sharp-edged weapon. Vaneeva, a bubble performer and artist, arrived in Goa only last week and met Leonov shortly afterwards. Police said she was murdered on the night of January 14 in her rented accommodation in Morjim, where her throat was also slit. Police sources further said that neighbours in Arambol told police they heard screams from the room occupied by Kasthanova and Leonov, after which the landlord alerted authorities. When police arrived, Leonov allegedly attempted to flee by jumping from a firstfloor balcony but was caught and arrested soon after. Leonov, allegedly, worked as a fire display performer in Goa, and over the past three years, he is said to have travelled to different places with maximum trips between Goa and Himachal Pradesh. Police >Continued on P5 SPORTS India Open fiasco prompts Mandaviya to meet SAI officials 14 BIRCH FIRE AFTERMATH Panel gets power to de-seal sealed sites, but with strict curbs THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Following the sealing of 22 nightclubs and other tourism establishments for safety and licence violations in the wake of Arpora nightclub fire that killed 25 people, the State government has now empowered Safety Audit Committee headed by IAS officer Sandip Jacques with limited authority to temporarily de-seal sealed premises, strictly for defined purposes such as removal of perishables or hazardous materials, while categorically barring any commercial activity during the period. As per the addendum issued by Under Secretary Home Manthan Naik, the final de-sealing powers vest with the Additional Collector II and an appeal against the same can be made before the District Collectors. Following Birch by Romeo Lane tragedy, the government, through a notification dated December 9, had appointed the Committee empowering to seal any tourism-related establishment falling within its jurisdiction where mandatory statutory permissions and clearances are not available, are invalid, TIGHT CONTROLS „„Temporary de-sealing solely on an application by the owner or proprietor „„To enable removal of perishable goods or hazardous materials, rectification of specific deficiencies „„To facilitate inspections by competent authorities „„Premises must be resealed immediately once activity is completed have expired including fire safety NOC, Excise License, Trade License, etc. thereby suspending the operations with immediate effect. As per the latest directions, the Committee can allow temporary de-sealing solely on an application by the owner or proprietor, and only to enable removal of perishable goods or hazardous materials, rectification of specific deficiencies pointed out during >Continued on P5 Pernem govt office ceiling collapses, head clerk hurt THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In view of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s engagements in New Delhi, the scheduled meeting with the Chimbel villagers over the proposed Unity Mall project has been postponed to Wednesday. The meeting, earlier slated for Monday and Tuesday, is aimed at addressing concerns surrounding the centrally sponsored project and exploring the way forward in consultation with the Centre. The Chief Minister has already announced that the State government will reconsider the Unity Mall project in consultation with the Centre. The proposed project has triggered opposition from sections of Chimbel villagers, prompting the government to initiate dialogue. The villagers are on a chain protest for the last 24 days and have threatened not to withdraw it till the project is scrapped. Meanwhile, Sawant along with party leaders is currently in Delhi, wherein he participated in the election process of BJP National President. The pieces of the collapsed portion of the ceiling at the Women and Child Development office in Pernem. Nivrutti Shirodkar THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM A head clerk was injured after a portion of the ceiling collapsed at the Women and Child Development office in Pernem on Monday, raising serious concerns about the structural safety of the Pernem government complex. The injured official, identified as Sujay Gawade, was ad- mitted to the Tuem Community Health Centre (CHC), where he is currently undergoing treatment. Pernem Deputy Collector Shivprasad Naik said that the building has weakened at several places. “Considering the potential threat to life and property, I had earlier informed Public Works Department officials, who inspected the premises and submitted a report to their superiors. However, no action was taken, and this incident occurred. Immediate attention and remedial measures are now necessary,” Naik said. Earlier, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar had proposed shifting the Pernem government complex to Tuem. About six months ago, Pernem MLA Praveen Arlekar inspected the complex along with officials. Govt allays fears on CZMP deadline, SC sounds alarm over soaring air ticket prices says draft not yet open for scrutiny SC OBSERVATIONS OF AIRFARES PTI ASSERTS PUBLIC WILL BE GIVEN TIME FOR SUGGESTIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid concerns raised by villagers and environmental groups, the Goa government on Monday clarified that the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 and its maps have not yet been placed in the public domain for suggestions and objections, and that the formal consultation process will be undertaken in due course. Director of Environment Sachin Dessai told media that the draft maps are currently being circulated only among Block Development Officers (BDOs) for their comments and not for public scrutiny. He assured that once the draft CZMP is officially made public, citizens will be given adequate time-between 30 and 60 days to submit suggestions and objections, followed by public hearings, as mandated under CRZ norms. “There was some confusion. We have not sent the plan or maps for public scrutiny. At present, they are only at the panchayat and BDO level,” Dessai said, clarifying that the January 20 deadline applies solely to BDOs for submitting their inputs. Earlier in the day, representatives of coastal villages and NGOs, accompanied by Velim MLA Cruz Silva, met the Director of Environment seeking an extension of the deadline. The delegation pointed out that several BDOs had circulated the draft CZMP maps to village panchayats via email last week, asking them to submit comments and objections by January 20. >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI he Supreme Court on Monday said it would interfere with the "unpredictable fluctuations" in airfares and flagged the exorbitant rise during festivals. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed the exorbitant rise of airfares by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to file their replies. "We will definitely interfere. Just see the exploitation of passengers done during the 'Kumbh' and other festivals. Just look at the fares to Prayagraj and Jodhpur T „„The bench termed the sharp rise in airfares as ‘exploitation’ of passengers „„It said the court would definitely intervene in the matter „„Justices pointed to festival periods like the Kumbh as examples of unfair fare hikes „„Cite Delhi–Prayagraj and Delhi–Jodhpur routes to highlight exorbitant pricing „„Court asks Centre, DGCA to respond to PIL seeking binding airfare regulations „„Matter listed for further hearing on February 23 from Delhi," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik appearing for the Centre. Justice Mehta, in a lighter vein, told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, that maybe airfares for Ahmedabad may not have increased but they have shot up for other destinations like Jodhpur. The top court listed the matter for further hearing on February 23 after Kaushik sought time to file a reply on behalf of the Centre. On November 17, last year, the top court sought respons- es from the Centre and others on a plea by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who has sought to establish a robust and independent regulator that ensures transparency and passenger protection across the civil aviation sector. It has issued notices to the Centre, the DGCA and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India seeking their responses on the plea. The plea claimed that all private airlines have, without any justification, reduced the free check-in baggage allowance for economy class passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg, "thereby converting what was earlier part of the ticketed service into a new revenue stream". It has said the "new policy of permitting only a single piece for check-in and the absence of any rebate, compensation or benefit to passengers who do not avail themselves of check-in baggage demonstrates the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of the measure".