Supreme Court Orders Inquiry Into Missing Orders in Goa Tiger Reserve Case

Overview

• A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant flagged missing records from paper books as a recurring problem that appears deliberate.
• The court noted the absence of its September 8, 2025 order from the case file, the directive that paused developments and referred the issue to the Central Empowered Committee.
• The Secretary General has been asked to conduct a fact-finding probe and submit a report to the Chief Justice of India.
• With the CEC report now on record, the bench gave respondents, including the Goa Foundation, two weeks to file their viewpoints.
• The case challenges a 2023 High Court order to notify Mhadei as a tiger reserve, as the Goa government’s counsel warns of extensive restrictions and relocations, while Goa Foundation’s counsel alleges approvals of commercial eco‑tourism projects in proposed core areas.