The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Goa government and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, seeking their response to three petitions challenging the withdrawal of permissions granted under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act in the St Andre constituency.
Petitions Allege Unfair Withdrawal
The petitions, filed by Dempo Properties and Investments Pvt Ltd through its director Yogish Dempo, claim that the company had received provisional approval for change of zone of their lands under Section 39A. They contend that the permissions were revoked due to pressure from public protests, without any prior notice or opportunity to be heard.
Background of the Controversy
On February 26, the state government issued an order from the TCP department suspending all provisional and final land conversions under Section 39A in the St Andre constituency. This move came after a hunger strike by local MLA Viresh Borkar and widespread protests by Goans opposing the land conversions.
The high court is scheduled to hear the case on June 17.
YouTuber Gautam Khattar Hospitalized
In a separate development, YouTuber Gautam Khattar, who allegedly caused outrage in Goa with his remarks against St Francis Xavier at an event in Vasco, has been admitted to hospital. During a routine medical check-up at North Goa District Hospital, doctors found his health parameters unstable and decided to admit him.
Police officials stated that Khattar, who follows a sattvic diet, has been consuming only fruits while in custody, leading to fluctuations in his health. He has been remanded to police custody until May 2.
Khattar was brought to Goa on Sunday by the state police. He was arrested in Himachal Pradesh on April 24, and after obtaining a transit remand, the Goa police team arrived with the accused at Manohar International Airport on Sunday morning.
