NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday pulled up the Deputy Town Planner, Mapusa, for failing to comply with its earlier order directing an inspection of a site at Anjuna, where a nightclub is allegedly operating illegally.
The court said that the inspection had not been carried out for more than a year despite its directions. It also observed, “A disturbing trend is emerging in the inaction of the Town Planning Department in matters where complaints are made about illegal constructions.”
The High Court impleaded the secretary of the Anjuna panchayat as a respondent and directed the panchayat to file a compliance report on July 27.
The court also directed the Deputy Town Planner to file an affidavit explaining why the court-ordered site inspection was not conducted for nearly one-and-a-half years despite specific directions.
The matter came up during the hearing of a contempt petition arising from the High Court’s order dated March 11, 2025. In that order, the court had directed the Deputy Town Planner to inspect the property and submit a report, following which the village panchayat was required to take appropriate action within one month.
During the contempt proceedings, the Deputy Town Planner submitted the inspection report, stating that the structures under scrutiny are illegal and liable to be demolished.
Taking note of the report, the High Court directed that a copy of the Town and Country Planning Department’s report be placed before the panchayat.
