Digital Goa, May 15 – High Court at Goa has frozen further proceedings in the online auction of the Cavorem-Maina Mineral Block No. XVIII till the next date of hearing, after a bidder alleged technical glitches prevented it from participating fully in the bidding process. A mining company moved the Court claiming that although the auction provided an eight-minute window for bidders to place and improve bids, technical issues after the first two minutes prevented it from submitting further bids, potentially impacting the final outcome. Hearing the matter, Court observed that mining rights are valuable state resources and noted that if the allegations are found to be true, the state exchequer could lose out on a higher bid. The court found prima facie merit in the grievance and directed the government to maintain status quo on the auction process. The court also directed authorities not to proceed further with the auction. The petitioner has been allowed to make the highest bidder a party to the case. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on June 9,2026.
