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Goa adventure firm owner arrested after paragliding deaths

Tourism department says no permission for paragliding activities

The police complaint said Raizada, “without obtaining permission from the appropriate authority, knowingly allowed his paraglider pilot to conduct paragliding activities with the tourist (Express Archives)

A day after a tourist from Maharashtra and a pilot were killed in a paragliding mishap in North Goa’s Querim, the police arrested the owner of an adventure sports company for allegedly running unauthorised operations.

Shivani Dabale (27), from Pune, accompanied by pilot Suman Nepali (26), plunged into a ravine after taking off from a cliff at Keri plateau on Saturday evening. Police said one of their cables snapped mid-flight, sending them crashing. The duo was rushed to a hospital which declared them brought dead.

Police said Shekhar Raizada, the owner of Hike ‘n’ Fly, was arrested late Saturday night and has been remanded in police custody for five days. The police complaint said Raizada, “without obtaining permission from the appropriate authority, knowingly allowed his paraglider pilot to conduct paragliding activities with the tourist… without providing any security equipment… with the knowledge that his act will endanger life of human being… the accused person intentionally permitted deceased tourist Shivani Dabale and deceased paragliding pilot Suman Nepali… without valid license to carry out the paragliding from the height resulting in their deaths.”

Meanwhile, the Goa Tourism Department Sunday said no it had not granted permission for paragliding activities at the Keri plateau.

It said in a statement: “The said activity was being conducted illegally and without any authorization. We are saddened by the tragic loss of lives in this incident and express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The department reiterates its commitment to ensuring that all tourism-related activities in the state adhere strictly to safety regulations and licensing norms.”

“We urge tourists and operators to ensure that only licensed and authorized services are utilized to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future. An inquiry will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible for this unauthorized operation,” the department added.

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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