The High Court has issued notices to the respondents in a writ petition filed by Royson Rodrigues, a land grab accused, challenging the state government notification dated June 24, 2025, designating the Additional Sessions Court at Merces for North Goa and the Additional Sessions Court at Margao for South Goa to try criminal cases registered under land grabbing allegations.
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The petitioner questioned whether the Sessions Court possesses the appropriate statutory authority to adjudicate these criminal land grabbing cases or if jurisdiction legally rests with the Judicial Magistrate. It was mentioned during the hearing that approximately 40 cases across North and South Goa are directly tied to the outcome of this jurisdictional challenge.

In the matter of the petitioner Royson Rodrigues, which was scheduled for the framing of charges on 24 August afternoon before the Additional Sessions Court at Merces, the High Court directed the trial court to defer proceedings beyond September 16, 2025.

The High Court asked the state government to apply their minds to the legal framework, noting the complex jurisdictional issues and whether legislative or ordinance-based backing is required. The High Court has listed the petition for further hearing on September 2, 2025.