Team Herald

PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued the notice to Dongurli Panchayat in Sattari for encroaching in the property which comes under the ‘Mocasso’ which is owned by Baburao Hirbarao Desai.

In his petition before the court, Desai has contended that the panchayat has illegally encroached whereas no work can be taken up without the NOC of the land owner in the village.

The petition has also said that the mocasso as an institution exists till date and does not vest any occupancy rights conferred by the central government in pursuance of Goa, Daman and Diu (Administration) Act, 1962, a law passed by the Parliament after the ouster of Portuguese rule from Goa, to cover any land holdings.

Desai has stated that that the Dongurli panchayat has started digging in his property without obtaining the permission as per law and prayed to grant stop work order to the panchayat.

The petitioner has stated that he is one of the successors by birth to the original mocassador where he has absolute private ownership of villages of Dongurli, Rivem and Carambolim except a few portions in the village.

Such ownership of the properties was even endorsed by the Portuguese after they conquered Goa, Desai said.