HC: Illegal Arpora structures to stay shut pending pleas

Panaji: In the public interest litigation concerning illegal land-filling and constructions in paddy fields at Arpora-Nagoa, the Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the secretary of the Arpora panchayat to keep 21 illegal structures sealed until the director of panchayats decides on their respective appeals.

Illegal structures housing commercial operations have come under the scanner across the state following the inferno at the nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, at Arpora last Dec, in which 25 people lost their lives.

A division bench comprising Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar stated that even if a stay on demolition of some structures has been obtained from the director of panchayats, no activity of any nature should be conducted in these structures until the appeals are decided on.

Demolition orders were issued for 21 illegal structures, after which all owners filed appeals with the director of panchayats. Of these, some obtained a stay on the demolition order issued by the director of panchayats, the HC was told.

Demolition orders had been passed since the owners had no valid licences under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act.

The owner of a museum told the HC that de-sealing of the premises has been sought for the limited purpose of removing a tank containing 150 species of fish from within the structure.
Get real-time updates and result insights on the Assam HS Result 2026 and Gujarat Election Results 2026