PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday asked the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to submit structural stability report of the sealed Panjim municipal fish market building and whether 12 occupants be relocated somewhere else or in the redeveloped building.
At the same time, the Court also asked the petitioners to produce their structural report if they wish to do so. After going through both the reports, the Court may ask the Engineering College to examine the building and submit its report. The Court also remarked that the entire action of the CCP appeared to be politically motivated.
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After the CCP sealed the building stating that it was in a dilapidated condition by an order dated August 13, 2024, the petitioners/occupants knocked on the doors of the High Court, stating that they were asked to vacate the premises within 24 hours and not given any opportunity to reply to notices nor made any alternate arrangements to relocated. This led to loss of livelihood of nearly 300 persons.
During the hearing, the CCP sought time to file its affidavit and the matter was posted for August 28. In the meantime, the Court also allowed one of the petitioners to remove his belongings from the sealed shop.
The petitioners have been occupying shops/premises in the said building since 1990 onwards. The CCP evicted them stating that the building had outlived its economic life and was in distressed condition and presently it was unsafe for human occupation.
Arguing on behalf of seven petitioners, Adv Rohit Bras De Sa stated that the report does not indicate that there was imminent danger and threat to public safety and that steps had to be taken to avert the danger as required under Section 272 of City of Panaji Corporation Act 2002).
Adv De Sa prayed that the CCP be directed to immediately de-seal the shops/premises of the petitioners so that they can carry out trade/occupation in the premises and earn their livelihood pending their rehabilitation in an alternative premises.
