NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the chief officer of the Margao Municipal Council to demolish an illegal structure covered by the transgression report dated July 30, 2020, preferably within one month.
The registry has been asked to communicate the order to the chief officer for immediate action, with a compliance report to be filed on record.
The petition challenged a November 27, 2024, order of the Goa Municipalities Appellate Tribunal, which dismissed an appeal by petitioner Ramesh Kumar against a November 8, 2021, order of the chief officer directing the dismantling of the illegal structure.
Kumar’s counsel argued that he purchased a flat on the third floor, along with an open terrace. He claimed the terrace was already covered by the previous owner.
The court, however, noted from the transgression report that the terrace had been converted into a room. The bench said this was “totally impermissible” under municipal by-laws and planning laws.
It concluded that the chief officer’s order was within his jurisdiction and upheld the direction for demolition.
