MAPUSA
In a decisive move to address the rampant issue of land grabbing in the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that a special court will be established to oversee and adjudicate illegal land grabbing cases.
The announcement was made during a session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Sawant confirmed that the government has accepted the report and recommendations of the inquiry commission led by former Judge V K Jadhav, which was appointed to investigate land grabbing cases.
“The government will constitute a tribunal or a special court to oversee and decide on the various land grabbing cases that have come to light during the investigation conducted by the SIT,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that a total of 48 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered across Goa concerning land grabbing.
Out of these, 22 FIRs were registered by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) specifically constituted to probe these cases.
To date, Goa Police have filed four chargesheets in court related to these investigations.
Sawant assured the House that the fraudulently usurped properties would be reverted to their original owners after consulting the legal team.
This assurance came in response to an issue raised by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral during the Question Hour.
Cabral argued that the government has the authority to revert properties to their rightful owners as recommended by the one-man commission, questioning the necessity of a special court for this process.
“Why do we need a court? Why should people who have been defrauded have to go to court? The government can revert it back to the original owners. In court, it will take years and years,” Cabral said.
Responding to Cabral’s appeal, Sawant mentioned that the one-man commission had made several recommendations, which the government has decided to adopt.
He acknowledged the need to discuss with the legal team whether land could be reverted directly to the original owners without court intervention.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the inquiry commission has provided suggestions to six departments, all of which have been instructed to follow these recommendations.
“These land grabbing cases in a small state like Goa have surprised the Commission. The report of the Commission will be placed before the House in the ensuing Assembly session,” Sawant said.
He also revealed that seven to eight individuals have been arrested so far in connection with land grabbing cases, with more arrests expected.
“We are taking steps to ensure that such land fraud does not happen in the future. We will bring new amendments. There are people who sell government land, which puts the buyers in a fix,” he added.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai criticized the inquiry commission, calling it an eyewash and a waste of public money.
Sardesai pointed out that out of 93 cases, only 22 FIRs had been filed.
“The one-man commission came, took his commission, and went away,” Sardesai alleged, describing the fate of the inquiry Commission.
In response, Sawant defended the Commission, stating that its work had led to the filing of numerous cases and provided valuable suggestions.
He emphasized that without the Commission, many of these cases might not have come to light.
