NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has dropped contempt proceedings against the Director of Tourism in the matter concerning the use of land at Morjim as a crematorium, after accepting an unconditional apology tendered on behalf of the department.
The court noted that the Director of Tourism had withdrawn its no objection certificate (NOC) related to the land in question, thereby purging the contempt.
“We deem it appropriate to drop the contempt proceedings by accepting the unconditional apology tendered on behalf of respondent, the Director of Tourism,” the court stated in its order.
However, the court issued a stern reminder to all authorities, stressing that the land, as specified in the judgment dated March 13, 2024, must not be used as a cremation site unless requisite permissions are duly obtained from the authorities concerned.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) clarified its stance, informing the court that while it had approved a bio-fencing application, no application had been submitted by the village panchayat seeking permission to use the land as a crematorium. As a result, the question of considering such an application did
not arise.
An affidavit was also submitted by the secretary of the village panchayat, stating there had been no violation or disobedience of any court directions. The affidavit relied on the report of the Field Surveyor and a Memorandum, while also referencing an incident that led to an FIR being lodged at the Pernem Police Station. The court took this affidavit
on record.
The case has a long procedural history. On July 30, 2025, the High Court passed a detailed order based on earlier directions issued by a Division Bench on March 13, 2024, and the final order dated June 21, 2024, which laid down specific instructions for the Director of Tourism and the GCZMA.
With the apology accepted and NOC withdrawn, the contempt aspect of the case has been closed, but the court has reiterated that due legal processes must be followed strictly in any future use of the land.
