Lawyers working pro bono to draft plea against casino: Ex-CJ

Panaji: A team of lawyers who agreed to work pro bono is drafting a writ petition challenging the permissions for Delta Corp’s new 112-m long offshore casino, said former Allahabad high court chief justice Ferdino Rebello. He said that the writ petition will be filed shortly before the Bombay high court.

“The study is going on. We find very disturbing things, and those will be brought to the attention of the court,” said Rebello, while speaking to a local news channel.


He said that people from Panaji and Reis Magos, along with activists who were at the forefront of the movement, will be the petitioners in the case that will be filed shortly.

“Those petitioners will be seeking interim relief. A team of lawyers is working on the draft. There are lawyers who agreed to appear pro bono; that means that they will not be taking fees,” said Rebello, describing the move as the first step in respect of one of the demands of the charter that was submitted to state govt.

Rebello said that the new offshore casino vessel being brought into the Mandovi river has the same capacity as the five existing offshore casinos put together. “Our charter says that the casinos should be removed within six months,” said Rebello.

Speaking about the Enough is Enough movement, Rebello said that the agitation will “go on till such time that the sections that are destroying the ecology of Goa are withdrawn.”

He said that efforts are being made to mobilise people from every taluka through awareness meetings, interactions, and deliberations.

“We are looking at the reaction of govt in the assembly during the budget session to see if the money will be provided to carry out the carrying capacity of the state. We will then discuss the pros and cons of the future course of action,” said Rebello.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !