ANJUNA: Nilesh Phadte from Chapora has now filed a contempt petition against one Antonio D’Souza for allegedly advertising parties/events in an encroached area when the High Court has ordered that this encroached portion cannot be used for any commercial purposes pending its removal.
According to Phadte, Romeo Lane, a restaurant, continues to operate and advertise events on their social media handles despite High Court prohibiting any activity in the encroached structure in the government land.
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On December 14, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed D’Souza of Vagator to stop using the encroached portion for any commercial purposes pending its removal but the advertisements about parties in the Romeo Lane (restaurant) from December 21, has left Phadte, a traditional fisherman fuming.
Upset, Phadte on December 18, submitted a representation to the Director of Tourism alleging ‘non-compliance of judgment pronounced on December 14, 2023 by the High Court of Bombay at Goa in a writ petition.”
Romeo Lane, a restaurant, according to the judgment, built with permanent structures on Vagator beach on the land belonging to the Department of Tourism and according to an affidavit filed by Desmond Alvares on Wednesday, the restaurant is one where loud music is still being played.
The affidavit filed by Alvares provides a list of establishments violating noise pollution and Romeo Lane is one of them.
“The matter has yet to come to my notice. I will be able to comment once I study the matter,” stated Suneel Anchipaka, Director of Tourism, when asked how Romeo Lane is allowed to function despite the High Court order.
On the other hand, a resident Janice Crasto said, “There is no law in our belt. By going to the police station and submitting our complaints, we just recorded that the law authorities treat the law as an ass.”
That the police authorities are playing deaf to loud music being played after 10 pm was evident on December 15, when, apart from senior citizens, who had a candle light march to the Anjuna police station, Crasto stated the following in her letter: “I am unhappy that your department is unable to stop the noise pollution caused by Casa Water on December 13 and 14. In spite of repeated calls made to 112, it is sad to see the Anjuna police station unable to stop and confiscate amplifier from ‘Casa Water’ (78 decibels as on 14-12-2023).”
“Things are going out of hand. They have no care for the sick, the old or even the students from the area. Obviously, there is plenty of greasing going on right to the highest level of the police,” said an exasperated Crasto.
