Old Goa controversial bungalow case
PANAJI
The Supreme Court will next month hear the case regarding the controversial bungalow constructed within the Old Goa UNESCO World Heritage precinct.
The matter was listed on Tuesday after the Bench opened the sealed cover containing the inspection report prepared by retired District and Additional Sessions Judge Edgar Fernandes. He was appointed by the apex court to inspect and supervise the assessment of the site, specifically Plot No. B admeasuring 2,400 square metres and owned by Suvarna Lotlikar. The inspection was ordered to inquire into permission for repairs granted by the Director (Monuments-II) on February 3, 2020.
As per the report placed before the Bench, Justice Fernandes conducted two inspections on December 30, 2025 and January 7, 2026, and submitted his findings with photographs and details of the structure on Plot B. The sealed-cover report was received by the Registry on January 12, 2026.
The Court on Tuesday directed that copies of the report be shared with all parties and permitted them to file their submissions. The matter has been adjourned for four weeks.
Earlier, by an order dated December 2, 2025, the Supreme Court had appointed Justice Fernandes to inspect Survey No. 4/1 of Ella village, Old Goa, with liberty to seek assistance from the Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Goa Circle, and a senior officer from the Town and Country Planning Department. The court had also permitted representatives of the petitioners and private respondents to remain present during the inspection.
The Bench further directed that the ASI keep the relevant files, including the application and documents relating to the grant of permission for repairs dated February 3, 2020, ready for perusal on the next date of hearing.
The Save Old Goa Action Committee had moved the Supreme Court after the High Court in February 2023 set aside ASI’s August 2022 demolition order on procedural grounds. The bungalow, located within the heritage zone, witnessed protests due to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
