On Friday, notices were served to both parties by the election commission informing them that the preliminary hearing had been fixed on May 13 at 4.30 pm in the chamber of the state election commissioner. A copy of the same notice has been sent to the Mormugao Block Development Officer (BDO).
“You are therefore requested to remain present in person or by your duty authorised agent/pleader on the aforesaid date and time failing which the matter will be heard and determined ex parte” read the notice.
It maybe recalled that Mascarenhas and Pereira have both filed police complaints against each other and investigations in both cases are underway. In his disqualification petition, Pereira has alleged there were some panchayat financial discrepancies on the part of Mascarenhas in her capacity as acting sarpanch.
