Bombay High Court Prohibits Casino Ship from Entering Goa’s Mandovi River

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a ruling to prevent a casino ship, capable of carrying up to 2,000 passengers, from entering the Mandovi River in Panaji. This decision comes after the court found that the vessel, operated by Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Private Limited, lacks essential certifications for its operation.

The order was a response to a public interest litigation filed by the group Enough is Enough and various concerned citizens, who urged the court to annul the permissions granted to the casino operator. The court, comprising Justices Amit S. Jamsandekar and Valmiki Menezes, highlighted that the MV Deltin Royale, the new vessel in question, does not possess a certificate of survey or the necessary documentation required under the Merchant Shipping Act, which would detail the ship’s specifications, including tonnage and other identity-related information.

In their ruling, the judges emphasized that without a certificate of survey, which must be issued by an authorized surveyor, the vessel is not permitted to navigate into the Panjim Port. The court noted that even if the casino company manages to secure the relevant certifications in the future, the ship would still require prior permission from the court before it can enter the port.

This ruling reflects ongoing concerns surrounding the regulation of casino operations in Goa, a state that has witnessed a rise in gambling activities along its picturesque coastline. Local residents have expressed apprehension about the impact of such vessels on the environment and community safety, prompting public interest litigations to challenge the legality of these enterprises.

As Goa continues to grapple with the balance between tourism and local welfare, this decision underscores the stringent oversight being applied to ensure that commercial ventures comply with regulatory norms. The state home secretary’s statement, acknowledging that the Goa government is aware of the situation, adds another layer to this unfolding narrative about the future of casinos in the region.

Source: scroll.in