Overview
- The Bombay High Court found the statue was illegally erected on Mormugao Port Authority land and ordered its removal after describing the installation as a gross violation of local law.
- The Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition as withdrawn and gave petitioners liberty to seek variation of the High Court order before the same court.
- The Mormugao Port Authority told the High Court it repeatedly complained to Bogda Police Station but received no action, alleging forcible encroachment backed by MLA Sankalp Amonkar and local corporators.
- The High Court faulted Goa authorities for acting as bystanders, said the police senior officer should have considered registering an FIR for criminal trespass, and rejected the argument that central security forces absolve the State of enforcement duty.
- What to watch next: whether the High Court varies its order, whether local police register an FIR or carry out eviction, and how the allegations of political support shape enforcement and local politics.