PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday allowed the government to attach properties of Swapnil Malik and recover the fines slapped on him.
By an order dated January 20, 2020, Malik was asked to pay a fine of Rs 1.60 crore for unauthorisedly indulging in dredging in the Zambaulim river and Ragada river and extracting pebbles, rocks, stones and boulders illegally and causing environmental degradation. But the respondent had then told the court that he had run into debts and therefore was not in a position to make any deposit before the court.
On Monday, Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the court that the authorities have now found that Malik owns a four-wheeler and two scooters and that these vehicles will be forthwith attached and sold for recovery of at least a portion of the amount due from the respondent.
The division bench also accepted the statement made by Arun A Khanolkar, Tahasildar, Dodamarg District Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. Khanolkar told the court that necessary steps for attachment of Malik’s property situated at Parme village of Dodamarg taluka, Maharashtra will be taken within four weeks. He stated that within four weeks he will also make inquiries to find out whether the respondent has any other properties within the jurisdiction of the Sindhudurg Collector and if so necessary steps would be taken to attach and sell the same.
The court asked the Tahasildar to file a status report. It also said that if it find that the Sindhudurg Collector or the Tahasildars in the said district are not taking effective steps, then the court will consider the further course of action to be adopted in this matter.
The court later posted the matter for further consideration on September 26.
