TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has disqualified Agnelo Pereira as a member of Colva village panchayat, following a writ petition filed by Zarina Blanca Fernandes, before the division bench of Justice A P Lawande and Justice U V Bakre.
Fernandes had sought disqualification of Pereira after he took part and voted at panchayat meetings which granted an NOC ( no objection certificate) to his son Russel, to operate a milk booth.
Advocate C A Coutinho, appearing on behalf of Agnelo argued that participating in the resolution does not amount to disqualification. Whereas, advocate for the petitioner Galileo Teles submitted the minutes of the meeting which confirmed the presence of the father at the time of the panchayat resolution in November 2012. He also alleged that Russel was a juvenile then.
The bench observed that Russel, being a minor could not have entered into any contract with the panchayat. “It is only Agnelo who could protect the interest of his son Russel as his guardian…” it said.
While disposing off the petition ordering Agnelo’s disqualification, the bench said, “…the case has been made out by the petitioner under section 12(1)(d) read with section 55 (4) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act against the respondent no.3 (Pereira).”
Agnelo is also directed to pay Rs 5,000 to the petitioner.
