PANAJI
Amid ongoing hearings into the unauthorised installation of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue on Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) land at Sada, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has warned the government against using public money to protect private interests or regularise an illegal structure.
The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar, earlier this week, directed the Chief Secretary to explain the proposed acquisition of the 178-sq-m MPA plot, including the estimated expenditure, source of funds and statutory provisions permitting the purchase.
The court had earlier observed that the authorities appeared to be in gross violation of its demolition directive and noted a prima facie conspiracy to disobey the order.
It also questioned the MPA’s sudden decision to withdraw its petition after the State proposed purchasing the encroached land, cautioning that the port authority could also be liable for abusing the process of law after invoking the court’s writ jurisdiction.
“Accountability is essential, especially when ‘public interest’ is cited as the reason for spending money on a structure erected without permission, and that too on land owned by the Port Authority,” the court observed.
According to details placed before the Bench, the statue was erected on MPA land without its consent and unveiled on February 19, 2026. On April 7, the High Court directed the district administration and police to assist the port authority in removing the encroachment. However, demolition was repeatedly delayed, with the authorities citing possible law-and-order problems.
The State subsequently proposed acquiring the land, citing strong public sentiment. The Chief Secretary has been given two weeks to submit a report, and the matter will be heard next on November 3.
