PANJIM: The Division Bench of High Court of Bombay at Goa comprising Justice M S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar disposed of the suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) after getting assurances from the State government that the Kala Academy (KA) complex will not be demolished.
The PIL that was being heard for nearly two years had been adjourned from time to time to enable the Advocate General (AG) Devidas Pangam to report on the final decision on behalf of the Kala Academy and the State administration.
Ultimately, the AG reported that the State administration has decided not to demolish any structures in the Kala Academy complex, including the open-air auditorium, but structural repairs and even renovation works will have to be carried out for preservation and maintenance of the complex and the structures therein.
The work order indicates that the State administration/Kala Academy will be spending an amount of Rs 39.63 crore for the repairs and renovation.
Amicus Curiae V A Lawande submitted that the statement of the AG may be recorded, so that the apprehensions that the Kala Academy complex or the structures therein may be demolished, are set at rest. He submitted that if all that is now proposed is repair and renovation works, the petition which was based on the apprehensions that Kala Academy or Kala Academy Open Air Auditorium may be demolished can be disposed of.
Adv Raunak Rao, who appeared for the Charles Correa Foundation (CCF) also submitted that the course of action suggested by the Amicus Curiae, can be followed in this matter, now that the aforementioned apprehensions about the demolition of the Kala Academy Complex or the Kala Academy Open Air Auditorium no longer survive.
