Panaji: Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in its interim order has stopped the entry of new Casino vessel owned by Deltin company, which was supposed to replace the old vessel in Mandovi River.
The division bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit S Jamsandekar pronounced interim order on May 6 responding to the writ petition filed by petitioners including Freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardesai, writer Uday Bhembre and social activists Sudeep Tamankar and Harish Madkaikar under the banner of “Enough Is Enough Movement.”
The petitioners had contended that the new vessel is of a bigger capacity compared to the existing one, and also larger by size.
The Bench ruled that considering that, as of today, the vessel does not possess a certificate of survey, we deem it appropriate to direct that the vessel in question shall not sail into the Panjim Port, that is the River Mandovi, without obtaining all the required certifications.
“Further, even if such certificates and requirements of sailing of the vessel into the Panaji Port are obtained, the vessel shall not sail into the Port without prior permission from this court,” the order read.
The court said that in the event the Government of Goa decides to permit casino operations in the new vessel which is the subject matter of the present petition, the Government of Goa would first place such decision before this Court before issuing any order to respondent number 3, that it Deltin company.
The Bench pointed out that it is assured by the Government of Goa that the order amending the licence issues to M.V. Royale Flotel (owned by Deltin) which was for 70 passengers, would not be amended in favour of the new vessel, M.V. Deltin Royale, without first placing the decision of the Government before this court.
The court has fixed the next hearing of the case on July 06, 2026.
