PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday issued contempt notices to two persons -- Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar for allegedly assaulting Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) officials who visited the Sada site to take possession of the land and barricade it after the demolition of the illegal shed known as “Murgao Cha Raja”.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar took on record an affidavit of compliance dated October 12, filed by Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council Siddhivinayak Naik, confirming demolition of the illegal shed along with photographic evidence.
During the hearing, counsel for the MPA submitted that on October 7, when its officials visited the site after the demolition to take possession of the property and barricade it, they were assaulted, prompting them to file a complaint, after which an FIR was registered. The submission was made during the previous hearing on October 12 as well.
On Wednesday, the Bench was informed that among those against whom an FIR was registered, Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar were named as accused for allegedly using force and creating impediments to the execution of the court’s directions dated September 9, 2025.
The MPA’s counsel also pointed out that Chodankar had earlier approached the High Court seeking modification of the order.
The High Court observed that preventing the effective implementation of judicial directions constitutes prima facie contempt of court.
Taking into account the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner MPA, along with the registered FIR, the court directed that Mesta and Chodankar be impleaded as contemnors in the proceedings.
The High Court permitted the cause title of the contempt petition to be amended forthwith and directed that contempt notices be issued to the duo, returnable on October 26.
