NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday dismissed a petition and directed the petitioner to demolish three illegal structures constructed at Molloca, Merces within two months from the date on which the present order is uploaded. It said that it was clearly established that the three structures were unauthorised.
The High Court also made it clear that if the petitioner, Peter Fernandes, fails to demolish the structures, the Merces panchayat will take steps to demolish them and recover the demolition cost from him.
The petitioner had sought to set aside the October 17, 2025, judgment and order passed by the Ad Hoc District Judge-1 (FTC), North Goa; the June 10, 2024, judgment and order passed by respondent No. 3, the Additional Director of Panchayats-I, in Panchayat Appeal; and the March 15, 2022, demolition notice issued by respondents 1 and 2, the Merces panchayat.
The High Court said that in the entire chronology of events it was surprising that the petitioner, during all the proceedings before the competent authorities, had failed to make any application to the Town Planning Department seeking regularisation of the structures.
The court said that it was only when the present petition was filed before the High Court that such an application was made.
The High Court said that the District Court in its judgment and order had also considered the site inspection report, the panchanama and the sketch of the unauthorised construction. It said that the District Court noted that the site inspection was conducted in the presence of the sarpanch, the panchayat secretary and the petitioner. The ward member, clerk and two of the complainants were also
present.
