The High Court of Bombay at Goa has postponed for two weeks a petition against the alleged demolition of structures for road-widening in Anjuna, Parra and Assagao, after the respondents asked for more time to file their replies.
Earlier this month, the High Court had issued notices to 12 respondents, including the Ministry of Environment, the Electricity Department, the North Goa Collector, and MLAs Michael Lobo and Delilah Lobo, among others.
The petition, filed by Desmond Alvares and other Assagao residents, claims that ancestral homes over 200 years old are being targeted for demolition without following proper legal process. They alleged that these demolitions, or plans for them, are being carried out under the excuse of complying with High Court orders.
The petitioners also accused the State of acting under the influence of the two MLAs and said Anjuna police did not act on complaints of criminal trespass. They alleged that fences had already been removed and claimed the two MLAs were personally overseeing demolition work without legal approval.
In the earlier hearing, they argued that the authorities were trying to take private property unlawfully and urged the Court to stop them from demolishing, sealing, occupying, or otherwise interfering with their properties.
