Panaji: The Bombay High Court will hear the petition of the Mormugao Port Authority seeking the removal of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected on its property on Wednesday.Locals allege that the statue was installed by supporters of Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar.MPA contended that the statue was illegally erected on its property and sought directions from the court to ensure that no further work of any nature was undertaken on the property pending final disposal of the case.When the petition was mentioned before the division bench of the high court on Monday, the MPA told the court that a grant function was held on Feb 19 to unveil the statue, with an MLA and counsellors attending the function. Since then, construction went on every night unabated, with authorities turning a blind eye, MPA told the high court.The MPA also sought ad interim ex parte relief to prevent the continuation of construction activities.The petition stated that unknown persons continued illegal activities, including ground levelling and clearing around the statue, despite the MPA’s complaints.
