Save Old Goa Front says hearing on Feb 27
PANAJI
The fate of the controversial ground-plus-one structure at Old Goa now rests solely on the outcome of proceedings in the Supreme Court of India, tentatively expected to hear the matter next on February 27.
Members of the Save Old Goa Front, which is the petitioner in the matter, said the apex court has now tentatively fixed the next date of hearing, after retired Sessions Judge Edgar Fernandes filed his 100-page report he was mandated to do.
The Save Old Goa Front is represented in the Apex Court by Senior Counsel, Colin Gonsalves.
The controversial bungalow is located within the UNESCO World Heritage site precincts and Fernandes' report has concluded that it was constructed by demolishing an existing structure, rather than simply 'repaired' as claimed.
This finding has raised serious questions about the permissions which were granted for the “repair work”.
Fernandes' report also flags several other procedural and legal anomalies including the nature of construction, violation of repair conditions, missing documentation, lack of ASI authentication and discrepancies in approvals.
Fernandes was mandated by the Apex Court to verify whether the construction violated heritage norms. The committee’s fact-finding report has already been submitted and it highlights discrepancies in the permissions and construction process .
The controversy dates back to 2021-22, when protests erupted against the structure built near Old Goa’s heritage zone.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had ordered demolition in 2022, but the Bombay High Court set the order aside in 2023 citing procedural lapses .
The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision is seen as pivotal, as it could either uphold the demolition order or allow the structure to remain, setting a precedent in the realm of protection of heritage sites in India.
