Eknath Mukund Patre v. State Of Goa Through Its Chief Secretary And 4 ORS

2026:BHC-GOA:99-DB WP 34 of 2026 Esha

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA

WRIT PETITION NO.34 OF 2026 EKNATH MUKUND PATRE ... PETITIONER

Versus

STATE OF GOA THROUGH ITS CHIEF SECRETARY AND 4 ORS ... RESPONDENTS Mr. Dharmanand Vernekar (through V.C.) with Mr. Jaiwant Velip, Advocates for the Petitioner.

Mr. Amogh Arlekar, Additional Government Advocate for Respondent Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Mr. Shivam Fadte, Advocate for Respondent No. 4. Mr. Arjun Naik, Advocate for Respondent No. 5. CORAM:- VALMIKI MENEZES & AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, JJ.

DATED :- 22nd January, 2026 P.C:

The Registry to waive the office objections and register this Petition.

2. The learned Counsel for Respondent No. 4-Panchayat placed on record a site inspection report conducted on 05.01.2026, which is countersigned by the Sarpanch and the Secretary of the Panchayat. We noted that the site inspection report is not accompanied with any site plan or survey to reflect the nature of the construction carried 22nd January, 2026

WP 34 of 2026 out at site and its dimensions.

3. The learned Additional Government Advocate makes a statement that in the meantime, the Deputy Director of Panchayats has assumed jurisdiction under Section 66 of the Panchayat Raj Act and has directed the B.D.O of Bicholim to conduct the site inspection; he further submits that the site inspection would be conducted and completed within a week from today. He also submits that the Deputy of Director of Panchayats would assume jurisdiction under sub-section

(5) of Section 66 of the Panchayat Raj Act and would proceed to take all steps to inquire into the legalities of the structure and dispose of the case in terms of sub-section (5) of Section 66 of the Panchayat Raj Act, after hearing Respondent No. 5 and also the Petitioner/ Complainant, besides the Panchayat, as expeditiously as possible and preferably, within 12 weeks from today. He submits that the parties would be informed through their respective Advocates appearing before the Deputy Director of Panchayats through their e-mail ID.

4. In view of the aforesaid statements made, the grievance of the Petitioner with regard to the inaction of the Panchayat has now been redressed. The Petition, therefore, stands disposed of accordingly. AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J.

VALMIKI MENEZES, J.

Signed by: ESHA SAINATH VAIGANKAR Designation: Personal Assistant Date: 22/01/2026 18:18:46 22nd January, 2026