The High Court has issued contempt notices to Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar for allegedly obstructing compliance with its directions by assaulting officials of the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) who had gone to barricade the site and take possession of the land after the demolition of the illegal shed at Sada, popularly known as “Murgao Cha Raja.”

The High Court has taken on record an affidavit of compliance dated October 12, filed by Siddhivinayak Naik, the Chief Officer of Mormugao Municipal Council, confirming demolition of "Murgao Cha Raja" illegal shed at Sada with photographic evidence.

During the hearing on Wednesday, counsel for the MPA submitted that on October 7, when its officials visited the site after the demolition to take possession of the property and barricade it, they were assaulted, leading to the registration of an FIR. Two accused, identified as Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar, were named in the FIR for allegedly using force and creating impediments to the execution of the court’s directions dated September 9, 2025.

The MPA’s counsel also pointed out that Vedant Chodankar had earlier approached the High Court seeking modification of the order.

The High Court observed that preventing the effective implementation of judicial directions constitutes prima facie contempt of court.

Taking into account the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner MPA, along with the registered FIR, the court directed that Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar be formally impleaded as contemnors in the proceedings.

The High Court permitted the cause title of the contempt petition to be amended forthwith and directed that contempt notices be issued to Mahesh Mesta and Vedant Chodankar, returnable on October 26.