PANAJI
In a major move to crack down on illegal land acquisitions, the Goa government on Monday introduced the Goa Special Courts (Land Grabbing) Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Assembly, proposing dedicated Special Courts to exclusively try land-grabbing cases across the State.
Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate moved the Bill, which follows recommendations of the Justice V K Jadhav (Retd) Commission of Inquiry, constituted in September 2022 to investigate widespread land scams in Goa.
Under the proposed legislation, the government, with the concurrence of the High Court and through a notification in the Official Gazette, may designate one or more Courts of Session as Special Courts for trying land-grabbing cases.
“Every land grabbing case shall be tried exclusively by the Special Court having jurisdiction over the area in which the land is situated,” the Bill states.
The Special Courts will have the powers of a Court of Session as well as those of a Magistrate, including the power to take cognizance of offences.
The Bill provides a broad definition of land grabbing, covering unauthorised possession of land through force, greed or fraud. It also covers illegal tenancy agreements, unauthorised constructions and fraudulent or fake registration of property.
The proposed law will have retrospective effect from June 24, 2025, with provisions to validate actions and proceedings already undertaken, provided they are consistent with the proposed legislation.
The Bill also seeks to ensure that the new court mechanism does not impose an additional financial burden on the government. Public prosecutors presently attached to the Sessions Courts will automatically conduct prosecutions before the Special Courts, eliminating the need for fresh appointments.
Appeals against convictions or acquittals by the Special Courts will lie directly before the High Court.
The legislation also empowers the government to make provisions to remove difficulties that may arise in implementing the proposed law and to validate actions taken before its commencement where such actions are consistent with the Act.
