THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Prominent Mapusa-based builder Venkatesh Prabhu Moni, who had been lodged in Colvale jail for 90 days over recovery proceedings under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, was released on bail last week.
The release followed a ruling by the Principal District Court, North Goa, which quashed the arrest warrant issued by the North Goa Collector.
Moni had been arrested for failing to pay outstanding land revenue arrears amounting to around Rs 8 crore, despite repeated notices and legal proceedings. The arrest was executed by Panaji police on the orders of the Collector and Moni was taken into judicial custody at Colvale jail.
However, in a significant development, Principal District Judge Irshad Ashraf Agha set aside the arrest order, citing procedural lapses and lack of adherence to principles of natural justice.
The court granted Moni bail upon furnishing bonds of Rs 2 lakh with one surety of a like amount.
The court also directed that the Mamlatdar should reconsider the report submitted by the Collector, after giving Moni a fair opportunity to be heard.
The Collector has been asked to decide the matter afresh within 30 days, and not to be influenced by the findings of the court.
Moni’s legal counsel argued that the arrest warrant was “bad in law, arbitrary, malafide and misconceived,” pointing out that Moni was not given a fair hearing before the arrest order was passed.
“The Collector acted in haste and failed to provide a reasonable opportunity for the applicant to present his case,” the lawyer said.
The counsel for the government contended that Moni had full knowledge of the dues and failed to make payments despite having the opportunity to deposit the amount before the Mamlatdar, as provided under Section 122 of the Land Revenue Code.
The case has its roots in a complaint filed by 36 homebuyers of the Prabhu Chambers housing project in Mapusa, who in November 2024 approached North Goa District Collector Sneha Gitte to expedite action against Moni.
The buyers were seeking enforcement of a Goa RERA order directing compensation payments of Rs 11 crore.
So far, Rs 3.5 crore has been recovered and distributed through auction of Moni’s properties, while around Rs 8 crore remains pending.
Goa RERA had passed two orders against Moni, dated March 17, 2022, and November 30, 2022, directing him to compensate the affected homeowners. The case will now be re-evaluated by the Mamlatdar.
