Summary: The Bombay High Court at Goa has ordered the demolition of the Shridhar Building in Vasco Da Gama because it is in a dangerous condition. The court stressed that keeping people safe is more important than the arguments between tenants and owners.
The Shridhar Building, located in the busy center of Vasco Da Gama, Goa, has been home to over 20 businesses since it was built in 1973. Over the years, worries about its safety have increased, leading to a series of legal fights.
In 2016 and 2017, the building's former owner, M/s Anand Bose, submitted requests saying the building was falling apart. A report from the Goa College of Engineering in 2017 confirmed these fears, advising that the building be evacuated immediately to prevent it from possibly collapsing.
"The building was in a ruinous state and advised it be immediately vacated." - Goa College of Engineering Report, 2017
The Chief Officer of the Mormugao Municipal Council first ordered the building's demolition in May 2019. However, this order and ones that followed faced many legal challenges from tenants and other interested parties, delaying the process.
On January 23, 2026, Justice Valmiki Menezes reviewed the case, focusing on a new report from the Goa Engineering College. This report pointed out serious structural damage and recommended immediate demolition.
"The structure is totally unsafe for occupancy and poses risk to life & property." - GEC Report, January 2026
Despite objections from tenants and other suggestions that repairs could be made, the court prioritized safety and rejected further delays.
Justice Menezes canceled the Secretary of Urban Development's order that had paused the demolition. The court ordered that the demolition happen within eight weeks, emphasizing that keeping people safe cannot be ignored.
"Buildings can be reconstructed. A life lost is lost forever." - Justice Valmiki Menezes
The court decided that the Shridhar Building must be torn down within eight weeks to ensure public safety, despite the legal disputes and suggestions for repairs.
This case shows how important it is to balance legal rights with keeping people safe, demonstrating the court's role in looking out for the community's well-being.
