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The High Court has concluded hearing arguments and reserved its order on the Goa government's appeal challenging journalist Tarun Tejpal's acquittal in the 2013 rape case. • In the alleged case of the mob violence outside the Honda Police Outpost, the Merces Additional Sessions Court disposed of a batch of 13 anticipatory bail applications. The court has directed the Valpoi Police to give at least three days notice to the applicants if their custodial interrogation or arrest becomes necessary during the ongoing investigation. • The High Court has ordered an interim stay on the operation and implementation of the land acquisition declaration for the lands acquired for construction of the Borim bridge. The court has barred felling trees or carrying out any construction on those acquired lands without its permission. Meanwhile, the Goa government may seek CRZ clearance for the project. • The FDA conducted a surveillance drive across Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Arpora and Anjuna on July 27, inspecting 10 food businesses, including restaurants, retailers and food vendors. Seven establishments were ordered to suspend operations until they comply with food safety norms. • In connection with the alleged attack on Kashinath Shetye, the SPCA has issued notices to Old Goa Police Station Inspector Gouresh Malik and Sub-Inspector Sanket Pokhre, with a hearing scheduled for September 7. In the same case, notices have also been served to Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, SP Harishchandra Madkaikar, SP Jivba Dalvi, and Inspector Tushar Lotlikar; • Bicholim Sub-District Hospital is now the only government hospital in Goa to offer varicose vein surgeries. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the service, marking a significant expansion of specialised healthcare in the public sector. • The Goa government has informed the High Court that the proposed pedestrian overbridge linking Dayanand Bandodkar Road near the Patto multilevel parking to Santa Monica Jetty has been scrapped after being found unfeasible. The government said the existing underpass provides safe and adequate pedestrian access. The matter will next be heard on September 28. • INTUC Federation State President Adv. Ajay Prabhugaonkar has urged the Goa government to regularise nearly 2,700 PWD labour supply employees across the state by passing a decision in the Assembly. Warning of an intensified agitation if their demand is ignored, he said the government must act without further delay. The High Court has concluded hearing arguments and reserved its order on the Goa government's appeal challenging journalist Tarun Tejpal's acquittal in the 2013 rape case. • In the alleged case of the mob violence outside the Honda Police Outpost, the Merces Additional Sessions Court disposed of a batch of 13 anticipatory bail applications. The court has directed the Valpoi Police to give at least three days notice to the applicants if their custodial interrogation or arrest becomes necessary during the ongoing investigation. • The High Court has ordered an interim stay on the operation and implementation of the land acquisition declaration for the lands acquired for construction of the Borim bridge. The court has barred felling trees or carrying out any construction on those acquired lands without its permission. Meanwhile, the Goa government may seek CRZ clearance for the project. • The FDA conducted a surveillance drive across Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Arpora and Anjuna on July 27, inspecting 10 food businesses, including restaurants, retailers and food vendors. Seven establishments were ordered to suspend operations until they comply with food safety norms. • In connection with the alleged attack on Kashinath Shetye, the SPCA has issued notices to Old Goa Police Station Inspector Gouresh Malik and Sub-Inspector Sanket Pokhre, with a hearing scheduled for September 7. In the same case, notices have also been served to Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, SP Harishchandra Madkaikar, SP Jivba Dalvi, and Inspector Tushar Lotlikar; • Bicholim Sub-District Hospital is now the only government hospital in Goa to offer varicose vein surgeries. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the service, marking a significant expansion of specialised healthcare in the public sector. • The Goa government has informed the High Court that the proposed pedestrian overbridge linking Dayanand Bandodkar Road near the Patto multilevel parking to Santa Monica Jetty has been scrapped after being found unfeasible. The government said the existing underpass provides safe and adequate pedestrian access. The matter will next be heard on September 28. • INTUC Federation State President Adv. Ajay Prabhugaonkar has urged the Goa government to regularise nearly 2,700 PWD labour supply employees across the state by passing a decision in the Assembly. Warning of an intensified agitation if their demand is ignored, he said the government must act without further delay.

LEGAL

High Court Directs Goa Govt. To Notify Sea Turtle Protection Plan

During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation concerning disturbances at sea turtle nesting sites in Goa, the Goa Coastal Zone Management

29th Jul 2026 • Jul 29 • 34 views

High Court Directs Goa Govt. To Notify Sea Turtle Protection Plan

During a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation concerning disturbances at sea turtle nesting sites in Goa, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) informed the High Court that the Goa Sea Turtle Nesting and Habitat Management Plan for the four traditional nesting sites—Mandrem, Morjim, Agonda, and Galgibag—has been finalized but not yet notified. Accepting the GCZMA’s statement, the High Court directed the authority’s undersecretary to notify the plan soon in the official state gazette.

The GCZMA told the court that the conservation plan had already been posted on its official website, but the bench ruled that online publication alone does not satisfy the requirement for public notice. To ensure broad public awareness and legal effect, formal notification in the official gazette is mandatory.

The comprehensive plan sets rules to regulate beach development and preserve safe nesting habitats. It also includes guidelines for beach shacks and lighting to reduce disturbance to turtles, and requires systematic record-keeping of turtle nesting activities across the state. In a separate tagged PIL seeking to declare Vagator a protected turtle nesting site, the Goa government has not yet taken a position.

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Zambaulim Gaushala: HC Gives Govt Green Signal to Shift Remaining Cattle

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Zambaulim Gaushala: HC Gives Govt Green Signal to Shift Remaining Cattle

HC permits Goa Govt to relocate the remaining cattle from the Zambaulim Gaushala after the petitioner, Dhyan Foundation, failed to submit a

HC Directs Mandar Surlakar Murder Convicts To Pay Fine, Victim's Father Opposes Early Release

LEGAL

HC Directs Mandar Surlakar Murder Convicts To Pay Fine, Victim's Father Opposes Early Release

In the petitions concerning the premature release of three of the four convicts in the 2006 Mandar Surlakar murder case, the High Court note