In Goa, attempt to demolish a home takes political colour – Congress threatens protest, CM calms tempers

In Goa, attempt to demolish a home takes political colour – Congress threatens protest, CM calms tempers

Goa police have arrested two persons in connection with the partial demolition of a house in North Goa’s Assagao over an alleged property-related dispute. The seemingly local incident has prompted a protest threat by the Congress, and an intervention by the chief minister.

Police sources said a Mumbai-based woman has also been booked on charges of kidnapping and for allegedly orchestrating the demolition of the house. According to sources, this woman had bought the sale deed of the property from the landlord, even as the residents claim they have been “owners-in-possession since 2001”.

In the police complaint lodged at Anjuna police station, the complainant, Prinsha Agarwadekar, said that on Saturday, at around 11.30 am, at least 15 people barged into the house in Bairo Alto Assagao, where she has been living with her family for over two decades, and told her that there is an order to demolish the house. They could not give a “valid reply” when asked for the order of demolition, she said.

“Then the squad forcefully tried to gain entry into my house. Upon resisting, a few bouncers pushed me and I fell,” the complaint said, adding that she then approached the police station to lodge a complaint.

The complainant alleged that the accused then demolished the house with an earth-mover machine, and that her husband and son had been abducted for several hours while the demolition was underway.

“...we are owners-in-possession since 2001 and the landlord has given us valid NOC and he is fully aware that we are the owners-in-possession of the disputed property,” the complainant claimed, adding that despite this knowledge, “the landlord had fraudulently entered into a sale deed” with another accused. The complainant also alleged that police were shielding the accused.

Police said they are checking the documents of the property and trying to trace its owner and the landlord.

A police officer said, “One agent and an operator of an excavator machine have been arrested. One accused woman from Mumbai has been booked and further investigation is on.”

Congress leaders demanded an inquiry into the case under a retired High Court judge. They alleged that the act was perpetrated by the “land and real-estate mafia”, and also called for a probe into the involvement of police officers.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar demanded that the “kingpin” be arrested in 24 hours, failing which his party would protest.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site on Tuesday evening and said that the Chief Secretary has been directed to conduct an inquiry.

“An inquiry has been initiated. If it is found that any police officer is complicit, strict action shall be taken… The demolished house shall be reconstructed at the state's expense and the costs will be recovered from the accused persons,” Sawant said.

Goa DGP Jaspal Singh wrote on X: “Citizens should have faith in Goa police. Our teams are working on the case of demolition of a building in the jurisdiction of Anjuna police. Teams have also been dispatched to other cities. We are committed to taking the case to a logical end.”

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