MARGAO: Justice Mahesh Sonak of Bombay High Court at Goa on Thursday recused himself from hearing the PIL filed by farmers and residents of Bicholim, Sattari and Bardez talukas alleging illegal fresh excavation and unregulated transportation of iron ore by mining companies.
The Judge has cited his earlier appearances for some of the mining companies implemented in the matter by the petitioners, hence the matter could not be heard on Thursday.
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The petitioners are now hoping for an early date and hearing before any of the other judges of the High Court.
Earlier, a PIL filed by farmers and residents of Bicholim, Sattari and Bardez talukas alleging illegal fresh excavation and unregulated transportation of iron ore by mining companies was to be heard by the High Court at Panjim.
The petition is filed by 10 petitioners including tenants associations of Mayem and Sirgao, farmers associations of Pissurlem and Lamgao and residents of Advalpal, Sirgao and Assonora through Adv Nigel da Costa Frias.
The petitioners are asking for the ongoing transportation to be stopped in view of various irregularities, including illegal excavation of ore, no demarcation of ore to be lifted, no supervision by mines dept officials, no regulation of the operations of mining trucks, no measures to prevent further siltation of fields and water bodies during the impending monsoons and no restoration of their fields, nullahs and water bodies.
