Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has extended its interim order preventing a new offshore casino vessel from entering the Mandovi River, with the restriction set to remain in force until the next hearing scheduled for August 18.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Hiten Venegavkar issued the direction on Monday after allowing the petitioner, Enough is Enough, two weeks to respond to the affidavit filed by the casino company.
The court instructed the petitioner to submit its rejoinder within the stipulated period and listed the matter for further consideration on August 18 at 2.30 pm.
Pending the next hearing, the Bench ordered that the interim protection granted earlier would continue, effectively preventing the proposed casino vessel from entering or operating in the Mandovi without the court’s permission.
In its previous order issued in May, the High Court had observed that the vessel lacked the mandatory Certificate of Survey, making it ineligible to navigate in the river. The Bench had made it clear that the vessel would require all statutory clearances as well as prior approval from the court before being allowed to sail in the Mandovi.
The court had also directed that if the Goa government decides to permit casino operations on the new vessel, the proposal must first be placed before the High Court. It further clarified that replacing the existing licensed vessel, MV Royale Floatel, with the new offshore casino ship cannot be approved without judicial sanction.
During earlier proceedings, the Bench had questioned the State’s contention that the vessel was seaworthy, noting that it had reached Goa as dead cargo and was yet to receive the mandatory survey certification.
The public interest litigation challenges the induction of the 112-metre offshore casino vessel, which is currently berthed at the Mormugao Port Authority, with the petitioner raising concerns over its legal compliance and operational clearance.
