PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has requested amicus curie Adv Ryan Menezes to ascertain whether the structures which were shown as demolished or encroachments from Calangute to Baga beach stretch have been cleared, and encroachments are removed.
The Court has also requested Adv Menezes to examine the prima facie status of the structures of the other respondents with the help of the officials. Adv Menezes will accompany petitioner Sylvester DSouza, his lawyer Adv J Velip and an official from Department of Tourism i.e. a Field Surveyor (Planning) during the inspection of structures.
Of the total 27 respondents named in the writ petition, counsels for seven respondents namely Coastline Bar and Restaurant, Red Frog, Bottle Bay, Las Olas and Infinity by Ratnasagar submitted to the court that the encroachments carried out by them have already been removed.
Similarly respondents for nine others Colonia Santa Maria (P) Ltd, Blue waves Bar and Restaurant, Sea Turtle Beach Cafe, Emmanuel Bar and Restaurant, Roseal Bar and Restaurant, Bistro Bar and Restaurant, Signature Bar and Restaurant, Laxman Bar and Restaurant and Laxmis Bar and Restaurant stated that their structures were neither encroaching on the government property nor were their structures reflected in the joint Inspection report dated December 21, 2023.
However, petitioner’s lawyer Adv J Velip disputed the above position and told the court that he will once again verify the position and report on whether the encroachments listed in the Joint Inspection report were indeed been cleared or not. Further, Adv Velip insisted that the joint inspection report does not account for what he terms as encroachment by the remaining respondents.
The Court has now asked the committee comprising Adv Menezes and three others to file the report on the next day of hearing on February 6.
During the last hearing, the joint inspection report had indicated the status of encroachments on the Calangute to Baga beach stretch i.e. from Shooting Star Restaurant to Elmar Bar and Restaurant. It was observed that there were encroachments by 16 temporary structures and 18 permanent structures admeasuring 1,090 square metres erected in the beach area in CRZ area situated at Saunta-waddo, Calangute.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam had told the Court that steps would be taken to remove these encroachment.
