log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 227 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 ‘Tired now…Sorry, sorry’, says BITS student’s note to parents GOA NCZMA authorises State dept to clear CRZ proposals amid GCZMA vacuum GOA INFO HC warns of imminent danger of hill collapse at Reis Magos Ways to lose weight by walking POLICE RULE OUT FOUL PLAY, RECORD STATEMENTS OF STUDENTS, WARDEN AND FAMILY; MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS RESURFACE THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO The final message left behind by a 20-year-old BITS Pilani-Goa student who was found dead in her hostel room has added a deeply emotional layer to yet another tragedy at the premier institution, even as police have ruled out any foul play in the case. According to sources, the handwritten note recovered from the hostel room contains a brief but heartfelt message addressed to her parents, expressing gratitude, love and apology. In what are believed to be her last written words, the student is said to have written that she felt “very lucky” to have parents who gave her immense love and support and did everything possible for her, before adding that she was “tired now” and “I >PG 6 NURTURING RESILIENT YOUTH AMID LIFE’S GROWING PRESSURES GOA’S SENIOR CITIZENS CELEBRATE JOY AND TOGETHERNESS AT ‘ANANDOTSAV’ IN SHORT >> Goa logs 25% surge in green energy capacity in 9 months PANAJI: Taking a significant leap in its clean energy push, Goa has recorded over 25 per cent growth in installed green energy capacity in the last nine months, signalling steady progress towards its long-term renewable energy goals.  >> See pg 3 Govt launches e-zero FIR module PANAJI: The State government on Tuesday launched the e-zero FIR module to enable swift registration of financial fraud cases - a key step in strengthening Goa’s cybercrime response.   >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 29 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 71% 4 months on, probe into Rishi Nair’s death still inconclusive MARGAO: More than four months after the death of 20-yearold BITS Pilani student Rishi Nair, uncertainty persists over the status of the inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Nair, a second-year student, died on campus in mid-September, marking the institute’s fifth student death. A post-mortem found a mix of narcotic substances and prescription drugs in his system. The Chief Minister had directed South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus to conduct a detailed probe into the circumstances of his death.  >> See pg 2 love you. Sorry Sorry Sorry.” repeatedly apologising, while stating that she loved them. Sources familiar with the inquiry said the student had been undergoing depression. It is believed that the family may have hoped that returning to campus life and being among friends would help her mental state improve. Some sources also claimed that she had faced mental health struggles in the past, though she had recently conveyed to people close to her that the intrusive thoughts had subsided and that she felt she was returning to normalcy. Forensic doc with vital insights not consulted in BITS probes MARGAO: Associate Professor of Forensic Science Dr Madhu Ghodkirekar, Head of the Forensic Department at South Goa District Hospital, Margao, who conducted post-mortem examinations in all six BITS Pilani student death cases, has not been consulted by any inquiry panel constituted so far, including the probe ordered into the death of Rishi Nair. Dr Ghodkirekar had interacted with the families of all six deceased students during the post-mortem process.   >> See pg 2 Meanwhile, Verna police on Tuesday visited the campus and continued their inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death. Statements of fellow students and the hostel warden were recorded as part of the investigation. Police have stated that no external or suspi- Goa govt revokes NOC of Tirumalla Tirupati co-op PERMISSION FOR EXPANSION WITH 13 BRANCHES WITHDRAWN WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AFTER REGULATORY SCRUTINY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Tuesday revoked the permission and No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to Tirumalla Tirupati Multistate Co-operative Credit Society Ltd to operate in Goa, with immediate effect. As per a press note issued by the Office of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Goa, the NOC granted through letters dated July 31, 2014 and June 28, 2018 –allowing the society to expand its area of operation and open 13 branches in Goa – has been withdrawn following regulatory scrutiny and inspection. The action followed an inspection conducted by the Registrar’s office. “The permission/ No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to Tirumalla Tirupati Multistate Co-operative Credit Society Ltd, permitting extension of its area of operation and opening of 13 branches within the State of Goa has been withdrawn and cancelled REGISTRAR FLAGS... „„Serious regulatory and statutory non-compliance „„Failure to submit audited financial statements, among other violations „„Non-cooperation during statutory inspection; breach of NOC conditions „„Society under scanner since 2020 following allegations against one of its owners Caution to the public „„Advised to be aware of the society’s regulatory status and to exercise due care while engaging in financial transactions or investments with immediate effect by the Government of Goa,” Registrar Ashutosh Apte said. Apte said that action has been taken following regulatory scrutiny and inspection carried out, which reportedly revealed serious and persistent non-compliance of statutory and regulatory norms. These included failure to submit audited financial statements as mandated, lack of cooperation during statutory inspection and verification, breach of the conditions under which the NOC was granted, and non-response to notices issued by the Registrar, despite due service. Following the withdrawal of the NOC, the authorities have cautioned the general public to be aware of the society’s regulatory status and to exercise due care while engaging in any financial transactions or investments with >Continued on P8 cious element has been found so far. The student, Vaishnavi, a third-year Electronics and Communication Engineering student, was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday night. A suicide note was >Continued on P8 JERC public hearings on power tariff on Feb 5–6 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) will conduct public hearings in Goa on February 5 and 6 to consider the Electricity Department’s petition seeking approval of the tariff trueup for the last financial year (2024–25). The first hearing will be held at 11 am on February 5 at the Mini Conference Hall of the Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji. The second session will take place at 11 am on February 6 at the Conference Hall, first floor of Ravindra Bhavan, Fatorda, Margao. Details of the petition have been made available on the JERC website as well as the Goa Electricity Department’s portal. The hearings will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and consumers to present their views before the Commission takes a decision on the tariff adjustments. At the hearing, the GED could come under intense scrutiny for its fiscal performance and the shortfall of earnings over expenditure which for the year in question (2024-25) has crossed the Rs 180 crore mark. 9 SPORTS Delhi Capitals storms into fourth consecutive WPL final 14 HC sounds alarm over organised exploitation of child begging WARNS MINORS MAY BE MUTILATED TO EVOKE SYMPATHY; SEEKS PROBE BEFORE MUMBAI-DELHI-LIKE CRISIS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Warning that Goa must act before isolated instances spiral into a crisis seen in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday flagged alarming indicators of organised exploitation behind children begging at traffic signals, including the disturbing possibility of minors being deliberately mutilated to evoke public sympathy. The Division Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar, while hearing Public Interest Litigation by Advocate Moses Pinto, accepted the apprehensions about possible trafficking and coercion of children. The Bench called for an investigation to ensure the practice is “nipped in the bud” before it becomes unmanageable. “The PIL raises a very important but sensitive issue on the exploitation of KEY COURT OBSERVATIONS „„Flags signs of organised exploitation, including possible mutilation of minors to evoke sympathy „„Calls for a serious investigation despite problem not yet being widespread „„Cautions against complacency; organised rackets can emerge over time „„Notes children involved are voiceless and vulnerable „„Raises concern over public alms-giving encouraging begging; asks Goa to study Maharashtra law „„Seeks concrete preventive measures from the State; AG to assist court underprivileged children who are forced into begging at traffic signals at various parts of Goa. From the case projected in the PIL, what transpires is that apart from the case of exploitation, the possibility of children being forced to beg by mutilating their limbs to create sympathy cannot be ruled out,” the Court observed in its order. From the material placed on record, the Bench also stated the situation warranted a “serious investigation”, stressing that early intervention was necessary precisely because the problem had not yet reached metropolitan proportions. “This calls for a serious investigation. We have requested the Advocate General (Devidas Pangam) to render assistance to this Court so as to place on record the State’s perspective on the manner in which this issue, which is not rampant, >Continued on P8 HC permits interim relief to families of Birch fire victims STATE TO RECOVER AMOUNTS FROM ACCUSED; DIRECTED TO COMPILE ASSETS OF LUTHRA BROTHERS, EX-SARPANCH REDKAR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has accepted the State government’s proposal to disburse compensation to the families of victims of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire and subsequently recover the amount from the accused persons including Luthra brothers. The Bench directed the State to compile and place on record a detailed list of assets of the Luthra brothers and the disqualified sarpanch of the Arpora-Nagoa village panchayat, Roshan Redkar among other accused persons. The direction was issued on Tuesday while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the fatal fire incident that killed 25 and injured several others. Observing that compensation to victims’ families should not be delayed, the High Court permitted the government to proceed with interim relief, subject to recovery from those held responsible for the incident. The court fixed February COURT OBSERVATION & DIRECTIONS „„Relief should not be delayed to the families of victims „„State to recover compensation from accused, including Luthra brothers „„Assets of accused to be traced and placed on record „„List to include Luthra brothers and ex-sarpanch Roshan Redkar „„Notices to accused to be served through police 16 as the next date of hearing of the suo motu PIL for further consideration. During the previous hearing, notices were issued to several parties, including various panchayats. Among the principal respondents were accused brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra and Redkar. The court was informed that Redkar had already been served the notice, while the Luthras are presently in custody. The court directed the State government to ensure that notices are served on the accused through the police, noting that the matter would be taken up again after two weeks. Advocate General Devidas Pangam told the media that the State had informed the court that directions were necessary to ensure payment of compensation, particularly as many of the victims belonged to economically weaker sections. “They (victims) may not be able to agitate their rights before courts of law, especially victims from poor background. The High Court agreed and said that we should place before the court details of the assets of the persons responsible for this incident, as the court is inclined to pass orders to award >Continued on P8 Duty-free baggage limit SC raps WhatsApp, Meta over data-sharing policy raised; new rules notified PASSENGERS CAN NOW BRING GOODS T WORTH UP TO `  75,000 WITHOUT DUTY PTI PTI NEW DELHI The government on Sunday raised the limit for passengers bringing duty-free imported goods into India from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, notified on Sunday, a resident or a tourist of Indian origin arriving in India other than by land, shall be allowed clearance free of duty articles, up to Rs 75,000, if such articles are carried on the person or in the bona fide accompanied baggage of the passenger. The new baggage rules, 2026, come into effect from midnight on February 2 and replace a decade-old baggage rule. Allowance for foreign tourists increased A tourist of foreign origin, not being an infant, arriving in India, shall be allowed duty-free clearance of articles up to the value of Rs 25,000. This limit was Rs 15,000 in the Baggage Rule, 2016. In case of a resident or tour- ist of Indian origin residing abroad for more than 1 year, on return to India, shall be allowed duty-free clearance of jewellery upto a weight of 40 grams, if brought by a female passenger. The limit will be 20 grams if brought by anyone other than a female passenger in bona fide baggage. Jewellery, for the purpose of this rule, means articles of adornment ordinarily worn by a person, made of gold, silver, platinum or such other precious metals, whether studded or not. NEW DELHI he Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up WhatsApp and its parent company Meta over concerns of user data sharing, asserting that citizens’ right to privacy cannot be compromised in the name of technology or business practices. “You can’t play with the right to privacy of citizens of this country in the name of data sharing,” the court told the tech giant, reported PTI. The top court further questioned Meta’s argument on user consent and opt-out mechanisms. Coming down strongly on the issue, the bench remarked that asking where the question of opting out arises amounts to “a de- KEY COURT OBSERVATIONS „„Citizens’ right to privacy cannot be compromised in the name of technology, business practices or data sharing „„Remarks that denying users an opt-out amounts to ‘a decent way of committing theft of private information’ „„Flags concern over policies that compel users to accept data sharing as a condition to access services „„Expands scope of case „„The Court made MeitY a party to the proceedings and said it would pass interim orders on February 9 cent way of committing theft of private information.” Expanding the scope of the case, the Supreme Court made Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) a party to the proceedings and said it would pass interim orders on February 9. The court made the observation while hearing pleas by WhatsApp and its parent Meta. The appeals challenge a Competition Commission of India (CCI) order imposing a penalty over WhatsApp’s “take it or leave it” privacy policy, reported PTI. During the hearing, the top bench observed that the privacy terms of major technology companies are “so cleverly crafted that citizens will not understand”, and questioned the very premise of user consent, asking “where is the question of opt-out”. Reiterating its sharp criticism, the court said, “Where is the question of opting out? This is decent way of committing theft of private information,” underlining that such practices cannot be justified under the guise of data sharing or user acceptance. The dispute traces back to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update, which triggered regulatory scrutiny over how user data was being handled and shared within the Meta group. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in November last year, upheld the Competition Commission of India (CCI)’s penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, for abusing their dominant market position through the policy change. A bench led by NCLAT chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and technical member Arun Baroka agreed with the CCI’s conclusion that the 2021 update effectively compelled users to permit data sharing across Meta’s platforms in order to continue using WhatsApp.