who had challenged the order of the Town & Country Planning Board and the South Goa Planning & Development Authority, which had held that the constructions and extension made by them, as illegal. The illegal construction in Margao now faces demolition.

The High Court has declined to accept the plea of these persons that the structure cannot be said to be new and in any case, the structure cannot be said to be of a Mundkarial house which is more than 60 years old.

It may be recalled that the proceeding against Barreto had been initiated on basis of various complaints made against the illegal construction.

Even the municipality had ordered action to be taken and it was noted by the High Court that the municipal house tax assessment records showed house with mud walls.

The judgment of the High Court has brought the curtains down on the decades old proceedings, which according to Mohammad Rizwan, one of the complainants, were prolonged due to the political clout of Camilo Barreto and his family members.

“We had full faith in the High Court, which saw through the game-plan of these violators,” said Rizwan.