Barabhumi Education Society vs State of Goa, through Chief Secretary, & Ors.

Heard Mr. Bhargav M. Khandeparkar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Mr. D. Lawande, learned Advocate General appearing for the respondent nos. 1 to 9, Mr. Nigel Da Costa Frias, learned counsel appearing for the respondent nos. 14, 18 and 19, Mr. Ashwin D. Bhobe, learned counsel appearing for the respondent no.15 and Mr. Andre Pereira, learned counsel appearing for the respondent no.17.

Rule. Heard forthwith with the consent of the learned counsel.

The learned counsel appearing for the respective respondents waive service.

The grievance of the petitioner is that the respondent nos. 10 to 19 are illegally occupying the Government land and no action is being taken by the concerned authorities with that regard.

During the course of the hearing of the above petition, Mr. D. Lawande, learned Advocate General has pointed out that as far as the respondent nos. 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17 are concerned, necessary action for demolition shall be taken within six weeks from today.

As far as the remaining respondents are concerned, in view of the legal exigencies and pending matters, the action cannot be taken immediately and the proceedings with regard to the respondent nos. 15, 18 and 19 shall be concluded within ten weeks from today.

As far as the remaining respondents are concerned, the process would be completed within three months from today. Mr. Pereira, learned counsel appearing for the respondent no.17 submits that the respondent no.17 is occupying the premises on the land belonging to the panchayat and in support thereof, the learned counsel has produced a Certificate issued by the Sarpanch which states that such respondent was occupying the premises for a long period of time. It is further pointed out that the State Government is not the owner of the subject land as according to him the land belongs to the panchayat.

We are not inclined to examine the dispute sought to be raised by Mr. Pereira, learned counsel appearing for the respondent no.17 in the present Writ Petition as the dispute sought to be raised by the petitioner cannot be examined in a petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The respondent, if so advised would have to initiate a remedy in law. Accepting the said statement of the learned Advocate General with regard to the action intended to be taken as far as the respondent nos.10 to 19 are concerned, we dispose of the above writ petition. Needless to say, all the contentions and remedy, if at all available to the said respondents in accordance with law are left open as we have not examined the validity of the action contemplated by the concerned respondents. Rule stands disposed of accordingly. The petition stands disposed of accordingly.