File photo of Bombay High Court.
The Bombay High Court asked Goa government to complete construction of the new court building by January 15, 2018, and submit a quarterly report on progress of work.
"We direct the government of Goa to complete the construction of court complex at Merces (outskirts of Panaji) in all respects by January 15, 2018. Construction shall be completed in such a manner that actual use of the building can commence on January 16, 2018," Justice AR Joshi and Justice AS Oka said.
"The government shall submit quarterly reports to this court about the progress made in the construction of the court complex. The government shall serve copies," the bench ruled.
The North Goa District Advocates' Association had petitioned the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on government's move to shift the courts from their existing premises to rented spaces at Patto on the outskirt of the city.
The petition had pointed out that land to construct the new building to house the court has been acquired but the building is yet to take shape.
The lawyers had also pleaded that the new premises at Patto is next to a garbage dump due to which it stinks.
The court ordered that Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) shall submit quarterly reports to the court on steps taken by it for reducing and preventing the nuisance created by the garbage dump.
"The first such report shall be filed before the end of January 2016," the bench ruled.
The High Court said that if construction of the court complex at Merces is not completed on or before January 15, 2018 and the nuisance caused by the garbage dump continued until then, it will be open to petitioners to file a fresh petition seeking appropriate relief.
The Bombay High Court also ordered its Goa bench administration to consider if records can be shifted to the new building instead of shifting the four courts to the new building so that more space can be created in the existing building to accommodate them.