Team Goemkarponn
PORVORIM: The Bombay High Court at Goa has pulled up the state government after the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) sealed the historic Lyceum premises at Altinho, Panaji, without seeking the court’s consent. The bench directed that the locks be removed before the day ended, stressing that the property remains under the High Court’s possession despite the shift to the new Porvorim complex in 2021.
The Lyceum buildings had served as the High Court’s home for nearly 20 years. Although the state has repeatedly sought custody of the premises, formal possession has not yet been handed over and continues to rest with the court administration.
The matter was taken up after the High Court registrar submitted a letter flagging the incident. Appearing virtually, Advocate General Devidas Pangam admitted that GIDC had sealed the premises, citing an August 21 government communication seeking control of the site to develop a Mediation Centre. He assured the bench that the state was committed to providing land, infrastructure, and financial support for the project.
Pressed on the legal authority for GIDC’s actions, Pangam sought time to respond, while maintaining that the deteriorating condition of the Lyceum buildings posed risks to surrounding residents. However, Advocate Rahul Nerlekar, representing the High Court, produced a Law Department letter dated August 29 clarifying that the issue of possession remains under judicial consideration.
Taking these submissions on record, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Aarti Sathe ordered the immediate removal of the locks and compliance reporting. “Leaving these concerns aside for the moment, we take on record the statement that the lock shall be removed today itself,” the judges observed. The case has been scheduled for further hearing on September 17.
