PANJIM: A group of social activists have filed a contempt petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa against the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner Ajit Roy and government authorities for violating previous court directives to keep the footpaths clear of encroachments and illegal structures.

Petitioners Kashinath Shetye and others pointed out to the court encroachments by Maharaja Casino management while also seeking directions to the government authorities, including CCP, to remove illegal constructions of structures by the casino near Captain of Ports jetty and its footpaths and making the footpaths clear for pedestrians to walk.

The petition also urges that contempt proceedings be initiated against the respondents for contempt of court, and that the latter be punished for ‘willful disobedience of the orders of this court’.

The petitioners stated that an enforcement squad, which has been constituted along with two police constables, shall be responsible to clear footpaths within the city limits from all encroachments including unauthorised hawkers, squatters or repairers and other persons who may be illegally using footpaths.

“Any goods/materials that may be used/kept by such persons on the footpaths shall be seized by CCP with the assistance of the police. In case of repeat encroachments or persisting on footpaths, police shall proceed under Section 34 of the Police Act. CCP shall render all assistance to the police on the matter. The enforcement squad shall also patrol areas prone to defecation and urination etc. Such patrolling should be preferably done every morning to prevent any such nuisance especially along the river bank,” the petition states.

The high court, in April 2017 had directed the authorities concerned to comply with the earlier directions issued by the same court in 2007 and ensure that footpaths are kept free for movements of pedestrians. With no action taken even after the 2007 and 2017 court orders, the petitioners moved the court once again seeking action against the violators for contempt of court orders.

Herald spoke to the concerned from the CCP, Ports Department, GSIDC and the local police, but all said that the ‘matter is sub-judice’ and refrained from responding. They stated that their reply would be submitted to the Court.