AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR/PORVORIM: The government’s decision to reject the two names recommended by Amicus Curiae Adv Nigel de Costa Frias on the Noise Monitoring Committee and instead propose its own candidates, has raised concerns among locals in Anjuna and Vagator. They hope that the High Court judges will uphold the dignity and rights of the sick, children, and vulnerable people.
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“The government has rejected both the names suggested by me and have instead recommended two others. From the two, one is okay but there are concerns about the other and I should be able to provide the other name during the next hearing,” Adv Frias informed Justices M S Karnik and Nivedita P Mehta as hearing on contempt petition 12 of 2023 came up for hearing on Wednesday.
Adv Gilman Coelho Pereira, representing W Hotel, requested to be informed of the proposed names before a decision was made, prompting Justice Karnik to ask for a final decision by Tuesday, February 18.
Adv Frias had recommended the names of Inacio Fernandes and Jeremy Ferreira through his subordinate Adv Shane Coutinho during his absence during the last hearing.
A note titled Names suggested by State, passed during the hearing mentioned the names of Nyron Reginaldo Dias and Rohan Gadekar. “I do not know who they are. Those are the names suggested by the government,” stated Adv Frias during the hearing.
Nyron Reginaldo Dias, according to the note, has been a “Resident of Anjuna since birth. He has been active in social life through an NGO Niz Anjunkars. Working as Assistant Manager in Ivis Resort Anjuna. He has always been proactive in social issues pertaining to Anjuna village. Also, very well versed with the local issues and efficient to take up public
issues.”
Dias, according to reports available with Anjuna Police, was one of the five people arrested Under Section 143, 147, 148 and 149 of IPC for allegedly attacking a tourist outside the Spazio Leisure Resort in Anjuna on March 5, 2023.
His Facebook account has pictures of him with Gajanan Tilve, who was seen in a video, assaulting Inacio Fernandes – one of the names suggested by the Amicus Curiae – during the Anjuna gram sabha in the presence of the police. Fernandes was allegedly assaulted for his crusade against noise pollution.
Rohan Gadekar, the note from the government states, “Is a young sportsman who is actively been a part of Anjuna Gymkhana. He is a young businessman who is passionate towards sports yet professional in his business. He is part of the water sports industry as well as the transport business. A dedicated young individual who has sympathy towards humankind, especially the village of Anjuna.”
In a video titled Anjuna Files and dated November 30, 2024, Gadekar can be heard complaining that tourists are not coming in numbers to Anjuna because there is no music after 10 pm.
“It is clear that the government is all out to sabotage the plans of the High Court by suggesting these two names. The government intends to continue fooling the High Court with wrong reports that no loud music is played by getting these two in,” complained Anna Fernandes from Anjuna.
“At one time, I thought that with the help of the High Court, we were going to be able to sleep in peace again. I hope the High Court reads through the government game and accepts the names recommended by the amicus curiae,” hoped septuagenarian Alex Noronha from Anjuna.
“The Advocate General thinks he can keep fooling all the time. It is time for me to bring to the notice of the court how he acted in collusion with noise polluters before he was appointed AG,” said petitioner Desmond Alvares.
