Goa CM Manorhar Parrikar’s son Abhijat served notices over alleged destruction of forest areas for eco-resort construction

The Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s son Abhijat over alleged destruction of forest areas for eco-resort construction. A petition was filed in against Abhijat.

The division bench headed by Justices Mahesh Sonak and Prithviraj Chavan, directed by Abhijat Parrikar, promoter of Hideaway Hospitality and other respondents, including the state Chief Secretary, Secretary Environment and Forests, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests among others, to respond to the notice by March 11.

The petition was filed by Abhijit Dessai, deputy sarpanch of the Netravali panchayat on February 4 had filed a petition seeking a stay on the construction of the resort near the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary in South Goa.

According to the petition, this project of Abhijat had caused the destruction of the forested areas. Also, several laws had been by-passed. The petition filed by Dessai also claims that to ensure fast-tracked facilitation of the resort which is spread over nearly 90,000 sq.m, an ordinance was especially moved by the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government.

"There is no illegality in the project. He (Abhijat Parrikar) has purchased the land. We have full faith in (Manohar) Parrikar as well as his son," BJP state President Vinay Tendulkar said.

Meanwhile, the petition has also led to a scuffle between opposition Congress and the state government.

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