Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major embarrassment to the State government, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has granted final opportunity to submit its reply into a petition that challenges the former’s refusal to Lokayukta’s recommendation for initiating inquiry into “beach dustbin scam”.
Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice Manish Pitale have also warned the Tourism Director to pay the costs personally, if no reply was filed by March 5, 2022.
“(Deep) Shirodkar, Additional Government Advocate, seeks further time to file responses on behalf of Respondent numbers 1-3. The record initiates that on two previous occasions, time has already been granted. However, as a last chance, we grant time up to March 5, 2022 to file reply. If no reply is filed, then the Respondent No 2 will have to pay costs, if necessary, personally,” the order states.
Former Lokayukta P K Misra had recommended that a high ranking Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) officer carry out an inquiry into the alleged irregularities concerning the purchase of dustbins installed across beaches. He had also said that appropriate action should be taken including prosecution of those individuals found liable for offences.
The previous Bombay High Court Division Bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and M S Jawalkar, had granted government time to submit their responses.
The respondents were also asked to give an advance copy of their affidavit to the counsel of the petitioner Inacio Domnic Pereira, who moved the High Court against government’s refusal to order a probe.
The High Court has now postponed the matter for further hearing on March 8, 2022.
