The Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court on February 12 reportedly issued notices to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar‘s son Abhijat Parrikar, in connection with a petition filed against him for alleged destruction of forested areas for the construction of an eco-resort.
According to an IANS report, Abhijat and other respondents — the state Chief Secretary, Secretary Environment and Forests, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests among others — have until March 11 to respond to the notice. Justices Mahesh Sonak and Prithviraj Chavan head the division bench.
The notice was issued based on a petition filed by Abhijit Desai, the deputy sarpanch of the Netravali panchayat, on February 4, seeking a stay on the construction of a resort near the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa. As per the plea, a vast forest area was destroyed and several by-laws have been passed to facilitate the construction of the resort.
The plea also alleges that an ordinance was especially moved by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government in the state to fast-track facilitation of the 90,000 square meters-Hideaway Hospitality resort.
The petition has catalysed a scuffle between the Congress party and the state government, with the Congress alleging that three successive BJP-led governments had indulged in nepotism. The party also alleged that facilitation of illegalities in the project, right from its inception since 2013 by the BJP government.