PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday took serious cognizance of a report filed by the Amicus Curiae who informed the Court that the Secretary of the Village Panchayat of Anjuna misled the court claiming that the panchayat has demolished around 16 illegal structures, when in fact the illegal structures were still standing.
Hearing a suo motu petition consisting of illegal structures within the jurisdiction of the village panchayat of Anjuna, the High Court asked the village panchayat secretary to remain present in Court.
When the secretary appeared before the High Court, he informed the Court that he had taken charge only in October and the allegedly false affidavit was filed by his predecessor. The High Court directed both the previous secretary Dharmendra Govekar and present secretary Jitendra Naik to file affidavits explaining their position and asked the Director of Panchayats to remain in Court on January 31 to explain what action will be taken against the erring secretary.
The High Court also directed the Mapusa Deputy Collector to demolish 38 illegal structures against which notices have been issued within one week and file a response before the High Court.
The matter will be heard on January 31.
