Karni Sena files complaint against church authorities over illegal construction.
Mormugao, Goa – In connection with the illegal erection of a pandal and the organising of religious programmes without permission within the 100-metre restricted zone of the protected ancient monument ‘Frontis Piece of Sancoale’, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeology Department, a written complaint has been submitted to the administration by Dr. Kalidas Prakash Vaingankar, Vice-President of Karni Sena, Goa.
The complaint has been submitted to the Mormugao Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Verna Police Inspector, South Goa Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Director of Fire and Emergency Services, Chief Engineer of the Electricity Department, and the Director General of Police.
According to the complaint, on 30 December 2025, Father Kenneth Tellis, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shindoli, illegally erected a pandal and organised programmes within the 100-metre prohibited area of the protected monument falling under Survey No. 266/2 of Sancoale village. The complaint further alleges that these programmes were conducted without obtaining any permission from the Archaeology Department.
Referring to the note recorded by the Archaeology Department under Order No. 1(70)/Perm/2023-24 dated 12 November 2024, the complaint clearly states that the erection of any pandal or the celebration of any festival within the 100-metre radius of the protected monument is strictly prohibited. It is also stated that prior correspondence was made with the concerned authorities on 12 September 2024 and 23 July 2025, wherein these violations were already brought to their notice.
In this backdrop, a demand has been made that no permission should be granted for organising any festival or programme at Frontis Piece, Sancoale. It has also been demanded that facilities such as loudspeakers, police security, traffic arrangements, electricity supply, fire services and ambulance services should not be provided. Additionally, a demand has been made to register legal offences against Father Kenneth Tellis and other organisers.
January 1, 2026
High Court order flouted at protected heritage site in Sancoale
Illegal pandal erected near ancient Shri Vijayadurga Devi temple site ahead of the Feast of St. Joseph Vaz
Sancoale, Goa – At Sancoale, the site where the ancient temple of Shri Vijayadurga Devi once stood has its entrance structure, known as the ‘Frontis Piece of Sancoale’. In 1983, the Archaeology Department declared this site a ‘heritage site’. Despite this, since 2018, the church authorities have been illegally organising the Feast of St. Joseph Vaz at this location.
This year, the feast is scheduled to be held from 7 to 16 January 2026. Once again, illegally and in blatant defiance of a High Court order, a pandal is being erected within 100 metres of the heritage site. As per established rules, no excavation, construction or related activity is permitted within a 100-metre radius of a ‘heritage site’. Nevertheless, illegal construction is once again being carried out at this location this year without obtaining government permission.
No action yet against illegal constructions at the heritage site
At the heritage site, illegal structures such as an unauthorised godown, 7 illegal ‘crosses’, poles and a water tank still exist. Detailed information regarding these illegal constructions was provided by the South Goa District Collector to the Archaeology Department through a letter dated 23 July 2025. Clear instructions to initiate necessary action were issued in this letter.
Based on a joint survey report submitted on 1 July 2025 by the Mormugao Taluka Mamlatdar, the South Goa District Collector forwarded this information to the Archaeology Department. This joint survey was conducted by the Talathi of Sancoale Panchayat along with officials of the Archaeology Department. However, even after five months since the issuance of this letter, no action whatsoever has been taken against these violations.
