Tue Sep 24 05:52:26 UTC 2024: ## Bombay High Court Rejects Appointment of Retired Judge to Goa RERA
**Panaji, Goa:** The Bombay High Court at Goa has annulled the appointment of retired district court judge Cholu Gauns as a member of the Goa Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), instead directing the state government to appoint retired district judge Vincent M D’Silva.
The decision came after D’Silva challenged Gauns’ appointment, arguing that he was overlooked despite being the selection committee’s preferred candidate. The court found no evidence to support the government’s claim of Gauns possessing extensive experience in social administration, a key requirement for the position.
The court criticized the government for ignoring the committee’s recommendations and failing to provide valid justification for selecting Gauns. While the state cited Gauns’ “wide experience in social administration and legal fields,” the court remained unconvinced, stating that “the state government has the power to appoint a person not according to the order of preference, but must provide written reasons for doing so.”
This judgment emphasizes the importance of respecting selection committee recommendations and ensuring transparency in government appointments. The court’s decision is likely to have implications for future appointments to regulatory bodies in Goa.
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