HC sends notice to aviation ministry over BJP chief’s meet at Goa airport

PANAJI: The Goa bench of Bombay high court on Monday issued notices to the civil aviation ministry, Goa chief secretary and three others in connection with the political meeting addressed by BJP national president Amit Shah at the Dabolim international airport on July 1.

Thee notices were issued after a city lawyer filed a petition in the high court on July 8, alleging that the political meeting which was attended by 2,500 people was illegally held in a prohibited area and violated several laws.

The notices were issued by justice FM Reis and justice Nutan Sardessai.

Speaking to the media, petitioner Aires Rodrigues said, “Notices have also been issued to Goa director general of police, Goa airport director and deputy commandant of the CISF, asking them how the meeting was conducted at the airport.”

The petition seeks a thorough probe into the manner in which the meeting was allowed at the airport, which functions out of Indian Naval Base INS Hansa. The high court gave the respondents three weeks to explain.

When the petition was filed, BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar had said the meeting was unannounced.

THE NOTICE WAS ISSUED AFTER A LAWYER FILED A PETITION, ALLEGING THAT THE MEETING WAS ILLEGALLY HELD IN A PROHIBITED AREA