Team Herald

VASCO: Giving immense relief to the fishermen community from Katem Baina whose houses were facing the axe of demolition, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed and set aside the demolition order of Goa Coastal Zone management Authority (GCZMA).

Quashing the order, the High Court directed the GCZMA to grant personal hearing to the petitioners so as to give them natural justice.  

The order was passed in a writ petition filed by Esperance Aurjao, her son Constancio Rodrigues and 60 others. 

Hearing the writ petition, on August 11, Justice F M Reis and Justice Nutan D Sardessai granted interim relief to the petitioners from demolition of their structures till August 18. 

Similarly, during the second hearing held on August 18, the advocate on behalf of respondents stated that the respondents desire to file a reply opposing the admission of the petition. On August 23, 2016, the respondent filed an affidavit-in-reply and the case was then fixed for final hearing on August 31, with extended relief to the petitioners till August 31, 2016. 

During the final hearing, the High Court extended the period of interim relief till September 13, reserving judgment. 

Later, on September 21 and 22, the interim relief was extended and on September 27, the High Court pronounced its final order quashing GCZMA’s demolition order.

Sources say that from October 14, GCZMA would hold personal hearings and would then pass and further orders.