Vishwesh Atchuta Kamat And ANR v. The High Court Of Judicature Of Bombay And Others
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 90 OF 2025 Vishwesh A. Kamat & Anr.
.. Petitioners Vs.
High Court of Bombay, State of Goa & Ors.
.. Respondents ...
Mr. Joao Abreu Lobo, through VC. Advocate for petitioners. Mr. Subhodh Kantak, Senior Advocate through VC a/w Mr. Rahul Nerlekar, Advocate for Respondent No.1.
Mr. Devidas Pangam, Advocate General, State of Goa a/w Mr. Shirodkar, Additional Government Advocate for Respondent Nos.2 and 3. ...
CORAM : SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, ACJ & AARTI SATHE, JJ DATE : 3rd SEPTEMBER 2025.
P.C. :
Not on Board. Upon mentioning, taken on Board. 2.
The learned Advocate General for the State of Goa has joined the Court proceedings in virtual mode.
3.
This matter has been taken on Board in the light of the facts stated in the communication dated 3rd September 2025 from the Registrar, Bombay High Court at Goa addressed to the Registrar General, High Court of Bombay regarding sealing of Lyceum Buildings by the officials from the GIDC Department, Government of Goa. 4.
A copy of the communication dated 3rd September 2025 is tendered in the Court by Mr. Rahul Nerlekar, the learned counsel for the High Court of Bombay.
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5.
The learned Advocate General has referred to the communication dated 21st August 2025 to the High Court making a request for handing over Lyceum Buildings to the Government of Goa. The learned Advocate General further states that the Government of Goa is ready and willing to provide all necessary facilities for creation of a Mediation Centre at Goa. However, on a Court's query, under what authority the officials of the GIDC Department, particularly in the absence of any communication from the High Court handing over possession of the said buildings to the State Government, had visited the said buildings and put the lock thereon, the learned Advocate General seeks some time to revert to the Court. Later on.
6.
At 4.00 p.m., the matter was taken up. The learned Advocate General reiterates the commitments of the Government of Goa that all necessary assistance and facilities shall be provided for setting up of a Mediation Centre at Goa. The learned Advocate General assures the Court that a suitable piece of land shall be identified and necessary expenditure shall be borne by the Government of Goa. However, a concern is raised by the learned Advocate General as to the poor condition of the Lyceum buildings which, according to him, may pose a serious threat to the persons residing in the neighbourhood.
7.
The learned Advocate General states that there has been communications with the High Court in the past and the Government of Goa is awaiting a positive response thereon. 8.
Mr. Rahul Nerlekar, the learned counsel appearing for the High Court at Bombay tenders a copy of the communication dated 29th August 2025 by which the Under Secretary (Establishment), Law Department, Porvorim-Goa has been informed that the matter 2/3
regarding possession/handing over the possession of Lyceum Buildings, Altinho, Panaji is sub-judice before this Court. 9.
Leaving these concerns aside for the moment, we take on record the statement made by the learned Advocate General that the lock put on the Lyceum buildings by the officials of the GIDC Department, Government of Goa be removed by today evening, with a communication in this regard to the High Court of Bombay at Goa. 10.
Taking on record the undertaking given on behalf of the GIDC Department, Government of Goa, hearing of this Public Interest Litigation is adjourned by two weeks.
11.
Post the matter on 17th September 2025.
[AARTI SATHE, J.] [ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE] Digitally signed by PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT Date:
2025.09.03 18:29:35 +0530 PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT 3/3