Casinos game to withdraw plea

PANJIM, SEPT 21
Casino operators today expressed their willingness to withdraw the petition filed before Bombay High Court at Goa contesting State Cabinet’s earlier decision to shift them to the Aguada Bay.
The lawyers representing casino operators told the High Court Bench that they will make up their mind on the issue only after getting a copy of Cabinet decision, which was taken last week.
The Division Bench gave the liberty to withdraw the petitions, whoever wants to do it. “Whoever wants to continue with the petition, they can do it”, said the Bench comprising Justice D G Karnik and Justice F M Reis.
The court has given the casino operators time till tomorrow to make up their mind or else hearing on the petition would continue from Monday.
Atmaram Nadkarni, representing one of the casinos requested the Court to grant another day, as the Company would hold a board of directors meeting on withdrawal decision.
 Advocate Surendra Desai, representing another casino operator, said that they are waiting for the Government order which rolls back its earlier decision to move the vessels to Aguada Bay.
The matter will now be next heard on Thursday.
Goa Cabinet last week had decided to relocate the vessels within Mandovi river basin. While three were supposed to be anchored towards Ribandar, two each were supposed to occupy Mandovi banks at Betim and Panaji respectively.
The Cabinet in February 2009 had decided to shift all seven casino vessels away from Mandovi river after protests from civil groups. However, the casino management contested the decision at the High Court.