PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has dismissed the petition filed by Delhi-based businesswoman Sheila Dhody in connection with the demolition order of the hotels in Goa, citing availability of an alternate remedy.
Petitioner’s legal counsel Advocate Saresh Lotlikar sought an extension of the interim relief, in order to take recourse to the statutory remedy. The interim relief, over the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority order on the demolition of the five hotels in Goa, was in force since October 3. The court then granted six weeks time.
The Court had been hearing a petition filed by activist Kashinath Shetye seeking to know if GCZMA has the power to review decisions. Shetye had submitted that a decision was taken by GCZMA on February 28, 2017 whereby the demolition has been ordered. Despite this decision, at its meeting on April 18, 2017, further representation and additional documents requesting for an opportunity to put forward the case in detail, was sought by Dhody. The authority had then decided to grant her an opportunity to be heard, which was opposed by Shetye, who is also a complainant regarding CRZ violations committed by the boutique owner.
Five complaints were filed with GCZMA, Deputy Collector and GSPCB of CRZ violations in building hotels in NDZ of CRZ at Bardez and purchasing houses of fishermen and others and converting them into hotels without GCZMA permission.
After no response from the authorities, the petitioners approached NGT which directed GCZMA to dispose the application within five weeks. GCZMA after appointing an inquiry committee found the structures to be illegal and ordered demolitions.
