PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the Public Works Department to conduct urgent pest control at the District Court Building in Liceu Complex at Altinho, after a group of advocates as well as the North Goa (Non-gazetted) Judicial Court Employees Association furnished photographs of termite infestation of the building.
The Division Bench of the High Court consisting of Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes also asked the government to get ex-post facto approval if regular clearance would take some time.
“On record are placed some photographs of the District Court Building at Lyceum Complex. From the photographs, it is apparent that urgent steps need to be taken for pest control. The condition of the woodwork of Court Room No. C and D affected by termites appear to be serious and obviously, will affect court working. We direct the Executive Engineer, Works Division I (Buildings) to forthwith ensure that pest control work is carried out this Saturday and Sunday,” the order said.
“Once the work is carried out, post-facto approval can be granted for such works if prior sanction is going to take time. We deem it necessary to pass this order considering the condition of the courtrooms and the urgent nature of the situation,” the High Court added.
The advocate general told the court that a committee has been formed to inspect the court premises and after inspection, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out.
