The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa accused the BJP-led coalition government on Friday of harassing a former deputy sarpanch, who had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the high court last month seeking a probe into alleged illegalities committed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s son Abhijat in an eco-tourism project.
The project is located near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary in South Goa.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa convenor Elvis Gomes said the former deputy sarpanch Abhijit Dessai was “unfairly” sacked by an order of the director of the State panchayat out of vengeance last month, soon after he filed a petition in Bombay High Court at Goa.
“The order of the Panchayat department would not survive the judicial test but is good enough to cause fear among others that they too would meet such fate,” Mr. Gomes said.
On February 12, the Bombay High Court at Goa had issued notices to Mr. Abhijat Parrikar and several other government agencies in connection with the petition filed against him by Mr. Dessai for alleged destruction of forested area for construction of an eco-resort located near the Netravali wildlife sanctuary. All have been directed to respond to the high court notice by March 11.