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CNR No : HCBM050020712026

2026:BHC-GOA:2366-DB Suzana IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA WRIT PETITION NO.732 OF 2026.

1. Paresh Salgaonkar, S/o. Vasant Salgaonkar, Aged 41 Years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat Calapor Tiswadi- Goa.

2. Mr. Haresh Salgaonkar, S/o. Vasant Salgaonkar, Aged 44 years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat Calapor Tiswadi- Goa.

3. Mr. Rajesh Salgaonkar, S/o. Vasant Salgaonkar, Aged 54 years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat Calapor Tiswadi- Goa.

4. Ms. Gayatri Salgaonkar, D/o. Vasant Salgaonkar, Aged 36 years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat Calapor Tiswadi- Goa.

5. Mrs. Vasanti Salgaonkar, W/o. Vasant Salgaonkar, Aged 80 years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat Calapor Tiswadi- Goa.

6. Mrs. Rajashree Salgaonkar, D/o. Vasant Salgaonkar Aged 42 years, Indian National, R/o. Mudras Mansion; Upper Ground Apt No. 3, Odlem Bhat, Calapor Tiswadi- Goa. … Petitioners.

Versus

1. The State of Goa, Through its Chief Secretary, Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa- 403501.

2. The Chief Electoral Officer Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Altinho, Panaji - Goa 403001.

3. The Collector/ District Election Officer Office of the District Election Officer (Collector), Panaji, North Goa, - 403001.

4. The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). ERO for 13 - St. Cruz assembly constituency Office of the Dy. Director of Skill development and Entrepreneurship, 3rd floor, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji -

Goa 403001.

5. The Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), AERO 13, St. Cruz Assembly Constituency Office of the Mamlatdar (Joint Mamlatdar II,) Panaji - Goa 403001. … Respondents.

Mr. Vivek Rodrigues, Advocate with Mr. Kevin Braganza, Mr. A. Rane Sardessai, Mr. Naresh Chandwani, Mr. Aditya Parab and Ms. G. Parwatkar, Advocates for the Petitioners.

Mr. Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, Senior Advocate with Mr. Gaurish Agni (through V.C.), Mr. Yash Naik, Mr. Shourya Shubham, Mr. Clive Fernandes, Mr. Madhav Cuncoliencar and Ms. Ruchika Mishra, Advocates for Respondents 2 to 5.

CORAM: VALMIKI MENEZES &

AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, JJ.

Reserved on: 13th October 2026.

Pronounced on: 5th November 2026.

JUDGMENT: (Per. Valmiki Menezes, J.)

1. This Petition seeks to impugn orders dated 21.01.2026 passed by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) (original order), order dated 02.03.2026 passed by the District Election Officer (DEO) (First Appellate order) and order dated 16.04.2026 passed by the Chief Electoral Officer (Second Appellate order), deleting the Petitioners’ names from the Electoral Roll prepared for the year 2026 on grounds that these are contrary to the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RP Act) and Registration of Electors Rules (the Rules), and being arbitrary and without following the principles of natural justice.

2. It is the Petitioners’ case that they being residents of Santa Cruz, Tiswadi, Goa, have been exercising right to vote in the Santa Cruz Constituency since 1995 in Part 29 and their names have been recorded at serial numbers 355, 350, 349, 351, 353, and 356 on the Electoral Roll of 2025. They have also been voting in the General Assembly Election, Lok Sabha Elections and Village Panchayat Elections in the same Part

29 since 2002.

The Petitioners, prior to the commencement of the enumeration process (SIR), had shifted their address in the same constituency and village, though in a different Part i.e Part 25 and therefore, on learning about the enumeration process contacted the Booth Level Officer (BLO) of their earlier Ward which falls in Part 29 and requested issuance of enumeration forms at their old address as it would be convenient for either of them. However, the BLO refused the said request and directed them to continue the enumeration process from their new address.

3. The Petitioners thereafter o