Team Herald
MARGAO: In a bizarre incident, the Deputy Collector of Margao Uday Prabhu Desai issued an order to provide police protection for carrying out “illegal” digging works. One Anant Raikar of Sernabatim Goa approached Prabhu Desai on Oct 11th and got an order the next day for police protection to carry out digging works within the property of Dec Apartments in Colva.
Shockingly, Raikar did not take any permission from the Panchayat for carrying out the digging works. Raikar wanted to install a wastewater pipeline to connect his shop to the septic tank. The other flat residents had objected since Raikar had not taken any permission from the Panchayat and there were pending maintenance dues of the last 25 years which had to be paid by Raikar who had recently purchased the shop to set up a beauty parlour.
Herald contacted Prabhu Desai and asked him whether he had verified whether Raikar had obtained permission from the local body for the works and whether he had given an opportunity to the other flat owners to respond to the allegations made by Raikar before issuing him an Order for police protection. Uday Prabhu Desai refused to comment and cut the call.
The flat owners appointed two lawyers who approached Uday Prabhudesai in the afternoon at around 12.30 pm. They questioned Prabhu Desai over the legality of the order. Prabhu Desai immediately issued another order cancelling his previous order.
In the meantime, Raikar had already dug the trench through the tiles next to the building. Once the police were given the new order, they left the scene. The labour hired by Raikar stopped midway and fled, leaving behind the trench.
“Who will pay for the damage done to our property? The Deputy Collector gave police protection for Raikar to illegally dig the property. He has to be held responsible. Who will compensate us for this damage and the lawyers’ fees.”, questioned the residents of Dec Apartments.
