Team Goemkarponn
SADA: The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging what it terms as the illegal erection of a statue on public property belonging to the port authority.
In a communication dated 18 February 2026 addressed to the district administration, police and municipal authorities, the MPA informed that it has filed a writ petition before the High Court in connection with the statue installed on its land. Copies of the petition along with relevant exhibits have been enclosed with the letter.
The communication has been marked to the Collector of South Goa, the Deputy Collector of Mormugao Taluka, the Police Inspector of Bogda Police Station and the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council, seeking immediate attention to the matter.
The port authority has stated that since 19 February 2026 is a holiday for the High Court and the Division Bench does not sit on 20 February 2026, the writ petition will be mentioned for urgent circulation before the Division Bench on 23 February 2026.
Pending the hearing of the petition, the MPA has called upon the authorities concerned to ensure that no further activities or functions of any nature are conducted or held at the subject property in connection with the said statue. The letter cautions that any failure to prevent such activities would be brought to the notice of the High Court during the hearing of the writ petition.
The development adds a legal dimension to the ongoing controversy surrounding the installation of the statue on port land, with the matter now set to be taken up before the High Court next week.
