log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY MAY 8, 2026 GOA @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 320 Concern grows over water hyacinth spread in Sal ahead of monsoon 3 GOA Emergency control room in Sattari to start from May 15 6 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE Celebrating Festivals: Threads that bind us Varsity buckles, withdraws admissions to new courses NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCING ROLLBACK OF PROCESS ISSUED M AY THE NOTIFICATION „„With reference to the above-mentioned Notification, the Goa University has decided to withdraw the Notification for admissions to the newly introduced Nine Integrated Programmes mentioned in the above referred Notification for the Academic Year 2026-27 Notification for the Academic Year 2026-27,” the notification stated. Sources confirmed that the admission process, which had commenced on April 29, so far received only seven entries. Total 35 seats for each programme were reserved for non-Goan students and an- 26 4, other 15 for local candidates. The State government had earlier termed the university’s decision to introduce the integrated programmes as “unethical”, “illegal” and “irregular”, alleging that the courses were rolled out without obtaining mandatory approvals from the government, ON 20 ON 20 PANAJI The Goa University has withdrawn admissions to nine newly introduced five-year integrated programmes after the State government raised serious objections over the courses being launched without mandatory approvals and following the intervention of Governor and Chancellor Ashok Gajapathi Raju. The decision comes just a day before Vice-Chancellor Harilal Menon was set to meet the Governor after being summoned over the controversial issue seeking clarification from the university administration. In a notification issued on Thursday, Goa University Registrar S N Dhuri announced the rollback of the admission process. “With reference to the above-mentioned Notification, the Goa University has decided to withdraw the Notification for admissions to the newly introduced Nine Integrated Programmes mentioned in the above referred 26 THE GOAN I NETWORK M AY 5, O N LY 7 E N T R I ES „„Sources say admission process had so far received only seven entries „„35 seats for each prog were reserved for nonGoan students and another 15 for local candidates the Chancellor and the university’s Executive Council. The forum of non government colleges too had raised concern over the programmes before the Chancellor. The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) had twice cautioned the university against introducing the cours- es through communications issued in November 2025 and February 2026. Despite the warnings, the university issued a notification on April 28 under Ordinance 39A, which officials pointed out had neither been approved by the >Continued on P6 8 Caveat filed in apex court over new casino in Mandovi river THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The citizens’ group “Enough is Enough” has filed a caveat petition in the Supreme Court apprehending that the Deltin casino operator may challenge the interim order passed by High Court of Bombay at Goa restricting sailing of the casino vessel in Mandovi river. The petitioners have sought to ensure that no order is passed by the apex court without first hearing them if the casino company approaches the Supreme Court against the High Court’s directions. The Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar, while hearing the matter over three days, on Wednesday observed that the vessel presently does not possess the mandatory certificate of survey and hence restrained its operation. “The vessel does not possess a certificate of survey as of today. In view of this, we deem it appropriate that it shall not sail in the River Mandovi without first obtaining the requisite certificates,” the Bench stated. The court further directed that if the Goa government intends to permit casino operations on the new vessel, it must first place the decision before the court prior to issuing any approval. SPORTS Super Rapid and Blitz: Gukesh stays in hunt with So draw 15 Mumbai family died due to poison, not watermelon: Report FSL finds rat poison ingredient in viscera, watermelon sample PTI MUMBAI Four members of a family in Pydhonie area of south Mumbai died last month due to rat poison, police officials said on Thursday. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report has confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide in viscera (liver, kidney, spleen), stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples of the deceased identified as Abdulla Dokadia (44), his wife Nasrin (35) and their daughters Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13), said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe. “The watermelon sample also tested positive for zinc phosphide, while all other food items were negative. The report will be studied in depth. We will consult forensic doctors. Further probe in the case is underway,” the DCP said. Zinc phosphide is used primarily as a highly toxic acute rodenticide to control rats and mice. “The forensic experts who examined the viscera of de- REPORT FINDINGS „„FSL confirmed zinc phosphide in viscera, body samples of all four „„Watermelon sample tested positive for zinc phosphide „„All other food items tested negative ceased Abdulla Dokadia, Nasrin (35), Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13) found traces of zinc phosphide. It is, however, unclear whether the rat poison was consumed accidentally (or on purpose). So far, we have found no strong reason why the whole family would take such an extreme step,” another official said. Further probe is being conducted by the JJ Marg police station, which has recorded statements of kin and neighbours, he added. The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road, had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25.