VALPOI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the executive magistrate of Sattari to conduct a thorough enquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds at the Shri Mahadev Ravalnath Navdurga Pissodev in Pissurlem.
The High Court issued the directions after some mahajans of the temple filed a PIL in the matter.
It may be recalled that the managing committee of the Devasthan was accused of misappropriating fund worth Rs 35 lakh since 2007 by not following guidelines as per the Devasthan Mahajan Act.
Hanumant Parab, an ex-president and a mahajan had filed a complaint the matter at Valpoi police station and also before the Sattari Mamlatdar, but no satisfactory action was taken.
Later, Hanumant Parab along with other Mahajans Sandip Parab, Gajanan Parab and Ashok Parab filed a PIL against some persons.
Valpoi Police Inspector, Chief Secretary, North Goa Collector and Sattari Mamlatdar were also blamed in the PIL for not taking serious note of the issue.
The PIL demanded legal action against the Sattari Mamlatdar, the dissolution of the Pissurlem Devasthan committee and recovery of misappropriated funds.
Advocate Shashikant Joshi said the PIL is already admitted in the high Court.
In a recent hearing, the High Court directed the Sattari Mamlatdar, who is also the administrator of the devasthan, to conduct a thorough enquiry into the matter and submit a report to the court before January 5.
