History

Goa was an Union Territory w.ef.19th December, 1961 after it ceased to be Portuguese Colony, till it attained Statehood. Goa became an Independent State of India on 30th May, 1987 under the Goa, Daman & Diu Re-organization Act, 1987. Under the Goa, Daman & Diu (Laws) Regulation, 1962 r/w Sec.7, 9, 10, 12 and 492 of Code of Criminal Proceedings, the Union Territory for the purpose of Sec.7 of Cr.P. Code was considered as one Sessions Divisions consisting of three Districts of Goa, Daman & Diu. The Court of Sessions for Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu was established at Panaji. The Indian Penal Code, Code of Cr. Procedure and Evidence Act, were extended and besides the Court of Sessions Courts of Judicial Magistrate First Class were established.

The District & Subordinate Civil Courts were established under Goa, Daman & Diu Civil Courts Act, 1965. This District Court was setup at Panaji for the entire Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu. The Subordinate Courts of Civil Judges (Sr. Division) and Civil Judge (Jr. Division) were setup at District Headquarters as well some of Talukas. The South Goa District was created vide Government of Goa’s Notification No.6/1-1980/LD/Est dt.3.2.1981 and the Taluka Courts of Ponda, Salcete (Margao), Quepem and Mormugao (Vasco) were under the Jurisdiction of South Goa District, vide Notification issued by the Government of Goa, Revenue Department, Panaji under No.3/19-1/88/LD dt.18.1.1988, the Jurisdiction of Ponda Taluka was withdrawn from South Goa District and was joined to North Goa District. By Government of Goa Notification No.LD/1/68/78 (PF) dt.2.1.1987 four additional Courts were created by the Government and as per allocation done by Law Department, Panaji under Order No.LD/1/68/78/PF dt.8.1.1987, of 1) Sanguem & 2) Canacona Courts were allocated to South Goa, District. The District & Sessions Court, South Goa, started functioning w.e.f.4.2.1981. Dr. Eurico Santana da Silva was the first District Judge of this Court and he was Presiding for the period from 4.2.1981 till 30.11.1988. Initially the District & Sessions Court South Goa was housed in a rented building till 1992. Presently the District & Sessions Court is housed in a new building situated in the area called Old market near the corner of Colva Junction, at a distance of ½ k.m. from KTC Bus Stand & 2 k.m. from Margao Railway Station. It is located in the Commercial Capital Margao.

The building is located in the area owned by the Departmental and extended to area of 5000 sq. metres alongwith addl. area acquired adjacent to the same of about 2290 sq. metres. There is a compound wall built around the building to avoid adjacent encroachment. The building or District & Sessions Court was inaugurated at the hands of His Lordship, the then Hon’ble Justice G.D. Kamat, Hon’ble Judge of Bombay High Court in the distinguished presence of the then Hon’ble Law Minister of Goa Shri Luizinho Faleiro. The building faces the northern side with abundant space for parking in front and by the side and also at the rearside. Recently there is installation of facility of Video Conferencing in this Court connected to Sada Jail & Aguada Jail and the inauguration was done at the auspicious hand of His Lordship, the Hon’ble Chief Justice, Shri Swantenter Kumar, in the distinguished presence of Shri Digamber Kamat, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa on 22.1.2009.