Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri Jul 19: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed against the proposed new market building near the ancient palace of Chowta lineage of rulers in the town. The state high court (HC), which took up the petition on Tuesday July 18, ordered issuance of notices to the state government and other departments.

Jason Marcel Soares from Puchchamogaru village had filed the said PIL. He has pointed out that the ancient 'Chowtara Aramane' building in the town has been declared as protected monument by the Archaelogical Survey of India. He has claimed that the decision of the municipal council to demolish the old market building standing 200 metres away from this monument and to build a new one in its place, is illegal. "The construction activity has the potential of endangering protected monument, 'Chowtara Aramane'. Therefore, state government and municipal council should be ordered against going ahead with the construction of the new building," he had prayed.

A division bench of the HC, which heard the litigation, ordered service of notices to defendants, secretary in revenue department, Archaelogical Survey of India, secretary in the department of roads and highways in the union government, National Highways Authority of India, and the municipality here, before adjourning the hearing.