PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday ordered sealing of a resort at Calangute for operating without obtaining occupancy certificate and continuing to operate despite demolition order being issued.
By an order dated April 26, 2022, the High Court while hearing public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by Cruz Silveira had ordered sealing of a well located within the resort premises at Cobrawado, Calangute and to file compliance. Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, Adv Rohit Bras de Sa had brought to the notice of the court that the illegal construction by one Ashok Meher was used for commercial purposes.
Since there was no compliance report till date and the premises were used for commercial activity despite demolition order, the Calangute Village Panchayat filed a miscellaneous civil application before the Court. Arguing on behalf of the panchayat on Wednesday, Adv Pronoy Kamat submitted that the activities in the said premises are going on specifically during night time, which includes commercial activities.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) filed its report stating that it had already sealed the well situated within the premises.
The Court observed that the illegal structure was provided with electricity connection which was apparently used for conducting commercial activities. The Court said that it was quite surprising that inspite of issuing demolition order, the premises were used allegedly for commercial purpose and directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the Deputy Collector, Mapusa, to immediately seal the said premises and submit the report to the Court on January 2, 2023.
