De-seal Arpora structure for aquarium maintenance: Bombay HC

Panaji: The Bombay high court on Wednesday again permitted temporary de-sealing of an alleged illegal sealed structure at Arpora for maintenance of aquarium fish on payment of costs.

Benz Amusement Parks Pvt Ltd filed an application in the high court seeking de-sealing for maintenance of the fish in the aquarium. They stated that their premises house approximately 84 aquariums accommodating more than 10,000 live fish and added that the sealing of the premises has prevented the staff from accessing it .

They also said that aquatic life housed in the premises require constant care with feeding, oxygenation, filtration, monitoring of water quality and temperature regulation, in the absence of which there is an imminent risk of the species’ large-scale mortality.

The high court directed the secretary of Arpora panchayat to de-seal the premises for six hours on the given dates and seal it again after, subject to payment of Rs 30,000 for each sealing and de-sealing.

It also directed the secretary to ensure that 21 illegal structures remain sealed until the director of panchayat decides the appeals regarding the demolition orders. Following this, the high court permitted temporary de-sealing for maintenance, observing that the fish, if left unfed, are likely to perish.

The HC is hearing a PIL concerning illegal land-filling and constructions in paddy fields at Arpora-Nagoa and directed the structures to be demolished.

The division bench comprising of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar last month stated that even if a stay on demolition of some structures has been obtained from the director of panchayats, no activity should take place there until the appeals are decided.