Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has granted an interim stay on the demolition of the alleged illegal structures by the beach side in Morjim, Mandrem and Agonda by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
All Goa Private Property Shack/Hut Owners Association approached the High Court against the demolition drive of the GCZMA stating that they were not given an opportunity to put forth their case and claimed that it was against natural justice.
The single judge bench of the High Court stated, “It is submitted that no show cause notice was issued to the parties, nor any hearing was conducted by the authorities, which amounts to violation of the principles of natural justice.”
Granting a stay on the demolition, Justice PD Naik said “Pending the hearing and final disposal of this petition, to stay the effect and operation of the Orders of Demolition dated 02/05/2019 issued by the government to various persons in Morjim, Mandrem and Agonda and direct the government to refrain from taking any coercive steps without following the principles of natural justice.”
The case has been posted for June 10 when the High Court resumes normal functioning after the vacation.
The case dates back to November 2017 when the National Green Tribunal had directed GCZMA to take action against temporary structures constructed along the beaches of Morjim, Mandrem, Galgibag and Agonda without specific permission from GCZMA in the No Development Zone (NDZ).
NGT had further imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on GCZMA for not enforcing its directions towards preservation of turtle nesting sites at the beaches.
