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The Supreme Court of India has ordered a status quo on the Ramodaya Cooperative Housing Society project in Mormugao, Goa, following allegations of illegal hill cutting and violations in development permissions. Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar challenged prior approvals, highlighting issues like insufficient road access and unauthorized land-use conversion. The Bombay High Court had earlier dismissed his petition, citing advanced construction since the 2018 approval. The Supreme Court's notice now freezes possession and construction while seeking responses from the state planning authorities, underscoring scrutiny on compliance in real estate development.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Goa's town and country planning department and the Mormugao planning and development authority regarding the Ramodaya Cooperative Housing Society project in Mormugao. The court has directed all parties to maintain the current state of possession and construction at the site until further orders, effectively halting any further development. Advertisement
This intervention follows a petition by activist Swapnesh Sherlekar, who approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court dismissed his earlier petition. Sherlekar had raised concerns over alleged violations, including unauthorized hill cutting and improper land-use conversion from residential to commercial purposes. He also challenged the inaction of the chief town planner and the chief officer of the Mormugao Municipal Council, claiming they failed to revoke the development permissions and construction licence despite being informed of these irregularities.
Sherlekar pointed out that the project lacked the mandated 10-metre-wide road access, providing only around six metres, a fact supported by a 2021 report from the local mamlatdar. He alleged that site inspections were not properly conducted, and the actual road width was misrepresented when applying for technical clearance and construction licences.
The Bombay High Court had dismissed his petition filed in 2023, noting that the development permissions had been granted in March 2018 and that construction was already at an advanced stage. Sherlekar had alleged that approvals were influenced by a member of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority, Kamla Prasad Yadav.
The Supreme Court's notice now suspends any further change in possession or construction while it examines the legal questions and awaits responses from the authorities. This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of regulatory compliance in real estate projects and the judiciary's role in ensuring proper procedures are followed.
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