Panaji: The Bombay high court on Monday directed the director of panchayats to inquire into the circumstances under which the secretary of the Sancoale panchayat failed to stop work on the construction of a new residential house despite the May 2025 stop work order. The court directed the director to take appropriate action against the secretary if deemed necessary, and file a report before the court by the next date.“Despite the specific direction of this court requiring the personal presence of the secretary of the village panchayat, Sancoale, no appearance has been entered on behalf of the secretary today. In these circumstances, the directorate of panchayats shall ensure the personal presence of the secretary of the village panchayat, Sancoale, on the next date of hearing along with due compliance of the order dated March 17, 2026,” stated the division bench comprising justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar.The petitioner complained that despite a stop work notice and the complaint, the village panchayat has not taken any action in the matter. At the last hearing on March 17, the court issued notice to the secretary of the panchayat, Sancoale, to ensure that the order was enforced. It also directed the Verna PI to render all assistance to the secretary to ensure that the stop work notice and order passed by the court are enforced.It also directed the secretary to remain personally present before the court at the next hearing and place on record a report of action taken upon receiving the complaint of Aug 11, 2025, filed by the petitioner.
