Bombay High Court

MANUEL RODRIGUESversusTHE VILLAGE PANCHAYAT OF PENHA DE FRANCA THR ITS SECRETARY AND ANR

Disposal: Withdrawn
Bench: NEELA GOKHALE

Holding

The Court permitted the withdrawal of the writ petition, granting the petitioner liberty to appeal before the Directorate of Panchayats.

Summary

The petitioner, Manuel Rodrigues, filed a writ petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging an order of the Village Panchayat of Penha de Franca. The Court observed that the petitioner had an effective alternative remedy by filing an appeal before the Directorate of Panchayats against the impugned order dated 26.05.2026. Accordingly, the petitioner’s counsel sought permission to withdraw the writ petition while retaining the liberty to pursue the appeal. The Court granted permission to withdraw the petition and allowed the petitioner to approach the appropriate authority for relief. The petition was consequently disposed of as withdrawn.

Issues considered

What is the appropriate course when an alternative statutory remedy is available to the petitioner?
Can the writ petition be withdrawn with liberty to pursue the alternative remedy?

Subjects

writ petition
withdrawal
alternative remedy
high court
jurisdiction
appeal

Judgment

                                  6 WP 730 2026

     Andreza

           IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA
                    WRIT PETITION NO.730 OF 2026

MANUEL RODRIGUES                                      ... PETITIONER
  Versus
THE VILLAGE PANCHAYAT OF PENHA DE
FRANCA THR ITS SECRETARY AND ANR                      ... RESPONDENTS


Mr. Prasheen Lotlikar, Advocate with Mr. Baburao Ronak Naik,
Advocate for the Petitioner.
Mr. S. S. Kantak, Senior Advocate with Ms. Neha Kholkar and
Ms. Saicha Dessai, Advocates for Respondent No. 2.
Mr. Nikhil Pai, Advocate for Respondent No.1.
Mr.


                     CORAM:- DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J.
                     DATED :- 27th July, 2026

P.C.


1.       After hearing the matter for some time, it appears that the
Petitioner has an efficacious and alternate remedy of preferring an
appeal against the Order dated 26.05.2026 before the Directorate of
Panchayats.


2.     In view of the same, Mr. Lotlikar, learned Counsel appearing
for the Petitioner, on instructions, seeks permission to withdraw the
present Petition with liberty to prefer an appeal before the
appropriate authority seeking appropriate relief.


                                    Page 1 of 2
                                   27th July, 2026
                                                             6 WP 730 2026


                        3.       Permission granted to withdraw with the aforesaid liberty.


                        4.       Petition is disposed of as withdrawn.



                                                                     DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J.




Signed by: ANDREZA PEREIRA
Designation: Senior Private Secretary
                                                               Page 2 of 2
to the Hon'ble Judge
Date: 27/07/2026 16:41:04                                     27th July, 2026

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