Bombay HC issues notice to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar’s son for allegedly flouting environmental norms for resort
The petition was filed by the deputy sarpanch of Netravali, Abhijit Desai, on February 4 who demanded a stay on the construction of the resort close to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa.
Panaji: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Abhijat Parrikar, son of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, after a petition filed in the court alleged that he was involved in the destruction of forest areas in the state for an eco-resort.
The Panaji bench has given Abhijat, who is the promoter of Hideaway Hospitality, along with several state government officials – Chief Secretary, Secretary (Environment and Forests), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, among other – a month to respond and hear the case again on March 11.
The petition was filed by the deputy sarpanch of Netravali, Abhijit Desai, on February 4 who demanded a stay on the construction of the resort close to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa, news agency IANS reported.
The petition claimed that the construction destroyed forest land and laws were bypassed to facilitate the project. It also alleged that a special ordinance was passed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government to expedite the resort project, that apparently spread across 90,000 square metres.
The opposition Congress alleged nepotism and illegal facilitation ever since the project first came to light in 2013. However, state BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar debunked the claims of favouritism and corruption on the part of Manohar Parrikar and his son Abhijat.