Goa Gazette, No. 2526-17, 28 July 2025

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Reg. No. RNP/GOA/32/2024-2026 RNI No. GOAENG/2002/6410 Panaji, ²⁸th July, ²⁰²⁵ (Sravana ⁶, ¹⁹⁴⁷) SERIES III No. 17

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

EXTRAORDINARY

GOVERNMENT OF GOA

Department of Home

Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, South Goa, Magisterial Section

Order

No. 38/2/2024/163 B.N.S.S./L&O/MAG/XII/M.O.2271 Date: 28-Jul-2025

Read: Order No. 38/2/2024/163 B.N.S.S./L&O/MAG/XII/M.O.1552 dated 29-05-2025.

(Issued under Section 163 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023)

Whereas, the Superintendent of Police (South), Margao-Goa vide letter No. SP/S-Goa/Reader/ /2227/2025 dated 28-07-2025 has brought to notice the recurring and grave issue of drowning incidents occurring across various natural water bodies in South Goa District during the monsoon season, including waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar sites that attract both locals and tourists, particularly during the monsoon and holiday seasons;

And whereas, despite the District Police's efforts to caution the public and display warning signage, these locations continue to be frequented unsafely and that many of them pose significant threats due to unpredictable water depths, slippery and unstable terrain and sudden currents and underflows, etc.;

And whereas, several fatal incidents were reported in the last year from areas such as Sanguem, Mormugao and Dharbandora. These pose a persistent threat to human life and a challenge to public safety enforcement;

And whereas, in view of the above and inorder to take proactive measures to prevent loss of life, the Superintendent of Police (South) has recommended the invocation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the issuance of a prohibitory order banning all forms of swimming, bathing or entering into any natural water bodies such as waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers and lakes within South Goa District, until further notice. And whereas, such legal backing is essential to empower the local Police and Administrative machinery to enforce restrictions effectively and to ensure compliance through appropriate legal action against violators; Suggestions are welcomed on e-mail: [email protected] 1513 OFFICIAL GAZETTE — GOVT. OF GOA SERIES III No. 17 (EXTRAORDINARY) 28TH JULY, 2025 And whereas, I am satisfied that circumstances do not permit the timely serving of individual notices to all concerned persons, and therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, I hereby issue this order ex-parte;

Now, therefore, I, Egna Cleetus, IAS, District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa, in exercise of powers vested in me under sub-section (1) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, do hereby prohibit swimming, bathing or entering waterfalls, abandoned quarries, rivers, lakes and other similar natural water bodies in the jurisdiction of South Goa District until further orders.

Further, the concerned Police Inspectors and Mamlatdars are directed to maintain strict vigilance within their jurisdictions and enforce this order diligently.

Any person found in contravention of this order shall be liable for punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Additionally, all the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrates of South Goa are authorized to verify the violation of order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and to file FIR before the concerned Court/Police Station and to lodge complaint before the appropriate Judicial Magistrate in the matter.

The above read order is extended and shall come into force with effect from 28-07-2025 and shall remain in operation for a period of 60 days, unless withdrawn earlier.

Given under my hand and seal of this office, this 28th day of July, 2025.

Egna Cleetus, IAS, The District Magistrate, South Goa District, Margao-Goa.

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