PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed to file all complaints and petitions concerning the Serula Comunidade land scam before the retired High Court Judge Justice V K Jadhav Commission within 15 days of its functioning.
The direction came whilst deciding two separate writ petitions filed by Miguel Vas and Arvind Shirodkar regarding land transfers in Serula Comunidade based on forged documents.
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Both the petitioners had stated that the North Goa Administrator of Comunidade had failed to consider the objections even though representations were filed against the illegal land transfer mostly with regard to Comunidade lands and land grabbing by way of forged documents. They had prayed that the Administrator of Comunidade is directed to consider such representations in accordance with law and take a decision thereon as early as possible.
Arguing on behalf of petitioner Miguel Vas, Adv Gajendra Usgaonkar prayed that a retired High Court Judge be appointed to conduct an inquiry into allegations made by the petitioners. He contended that around 10,000 plots have been allotted without following the procedure laid down under the Code of Comunidade and the same requires thorough investigation.
Adv Vithal Naik, who appeared for Arvind Shirodkar, submitted that the petitioners earlier were directed to appear before the Inquiry Commission appointed by the government on the basis of submissions made before the Court in 2011. But the Inquiry Commissioner did not examine the said aspect and prayed for the revival of the petition which was granted.
The division bench comprising Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice B P Deshpande said that since the State government has appointed a retired High Court Judge Justice V K Jadhav and the terms of reference are also mentioned. The Court asked them to make representation/complaint before the Commission within 15 days from the date it starts functioning and disposed of both petitions.
