MARGAO: The heritage premises housing the Civil and Criminal Courts at Margao was once again in the news for wrong reasons as the water started pouring in from the dilapidated roof and spread to the court rooms besides entering into the chambers of judges.

As heavy rains lashed the city, water started pouring into the corridors of the Trial Court and plastic buckets had to be placed to contain the flow.

Adv Prasad Naik, President of the South Goa Advocates Association (SGAA) had to request one of the presiding Judges to adjourn some matters as the water started leaking from the damaged roof and entered the functional courtroom.

Adv Pritam Morais expressed distress that the temple of justice and an ancient heritage building had to be in such a pitiful condition on account of complete neglect by the concerned authorities.

He said that if urgent remedial steps are not taken, litigants and lawyers might have to enter the court premises with raincoats umbrellas to protect themselves from the rains.

Adv Sudir Naik, Managing Committee Member of the SGAA lamented at the sad state of affairs of the premises and said that timely measures to maintain the heritage building would have prevented such an ugly situation. He said that the court is also a depository of new and old records and there is a danger of such records being damaged in the event the leakage is not immediately stopped.

Meanwhile, Margao Fire Station office received two letters from Margao court asking to look into the leakage and cover the roof with plastic. Margao Fire Station Officer Gil Souza rushed to the site and placed a plastic sheet on the roof to stop it from leaking.

Meanwhile, two more courts from the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Margao will be shifted from trial court building, Margao to building of Sessions Court, Margao, on Monday.