The Bombay High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to designate the historic Lyceum complex at Altinho, Panjim, which served as the former seat of the High Court at Goa, as a centre for arbitration and mediation [Vishwesh Atchuta Kamat & Anr v. High Court of Bombay & Ors.].

The High Court was shifted to the new complex at Porvorim in March 2021.

The PIL contended that the old building holds historical significance as it also served as the court of the Judicial Commissioner during the Portuguese regime.

A division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that the petitioners led by Vishwesh Kamat, a practising lawyer, failed to disclose any statutory right or legal foundation entitling them to seek the prayer.

“There is no right, much less a statutory right, flowing from any statutes to enable the petitioners to seek designation of the Lyceum building complex as the centre for arbitration and mediation,” the Court said in its order.

The PIL contended that the old building holds historical significance as it also served as the court of the Judicial Commissioner during the Portuguese regime.

A division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that the petitioners led by Vishwesh Kamat, a practising lawyer, failed to disclose any statutory right or legal foundation entitling them to seek the prayer.

“There is no right, much less a statutory right, flowing from any statutes to enable the petitioners to seek designation of the Lyceum building complex as the centre for arbitration and mediation,” the Court said in its order.