PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State and the Charles Correa Foundation to file affidavits in a suo motu petition regarding the proposed demolition of a part of Goa’s iconic Kala Academy.
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Charles Correa Foundation filed an intervention petition which was accepted. The State, represented by Advocate General Devidas Pangam reiterated that the government has not taken any decision on the demolition. The matter will now be heard on September 9 when the government and the Foundation will submit their respective affidavits.
The court had last month taken suo motu cognisance of the issue based on media reports. The AG had then submitted that the government is in the process of auditing the stability of the structure before taking a final call.
The matter was also raised during the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly wherein Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude had said that the government is open to discussion with artists for an alternative arrangement to hold commercial shows.
The issue has gained momentum with Charles Correa Foundation claiming that they were not consulted by the government either on the state of the building or its repairs.
