Casino vessel to enter river if found fit

The High Court has directed the Goa government to send a surveyor to the casino vessel owned by former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda. The surveyor will check its engine and emergency evacuation mechanism. Goa government has stated that if it finds the mechanism fit, it will be allowed to anchor in the river Mandovi.

During the hearing before the High Court, petitioner Global Globe Hotels Pvt. Ltd. contended that its Casino vessel is anchored in the Arabian Sea and rainy weather can damage it. The petitioner further pleaded that it should be allowed to be anchored at Panaji Port as a refuge vessel till it gets all the permission to operate the casino.

In reply, Goa government and Captain of Ports contended that if the engine of the vessel and emergency evacuation mechanism of the vessel are found to be fit, then the permission to anchor the vessel will be granted somewhere in the river Mandovi within 24 hours.

Accepting the government's statement, the High Court directed the respondents to send a surveyor at the vessel to check engine and emergency evacuation mechanism. But the court adjourned the casino license related matter to June 27.