PANAJI
The Supreme Court has appointed retired District and Additional Sessions Judge Edgar Fernandes to head a fact-finding committee to examine the disputed bungalow built near a protected heritage site in Old Goa.
The committee has been asked to study the original structure, check the present construction and examine all documents submitted by the parties in the Special Leave Petitions linked to the case. It will also verify whether the building follows heritage rules and matches the earlier approved plans.
The Solicitor General has allowed him to seek help from the superintending archaeologist of the ASI Goa Circle and a senior officer of the Town and Country Planning Department. The court has asked for a report within four weeks after a site inspection.
The SC noted that, based on the inspection report dated February 2, 2024, a fresh inspection is needed to clearly understand the construction done after permission was granted on February 3, 2020, to repair a damaged coconut shed.
