Goa Authorities Order Demolition of Club Goya for Land Violations
The Goa government has issued a strict demolition order for Club Goya, a popular nightspot in the Anjuna-Vagator party belt. Deputy Collector Varsha Parab signed the official directive on Monday, giving the owners thirty days to restore the agricultural land to its original condition.
Substantial Penalty Imposed for Illegal Conversion
Authorities have slapped the nightclub owners with a significant financial penalty. The order mandates payment of fifteen lakh rupees for illegally converting agricultural land to non-agricultural use without obtaining proper permission.
"The owners are directed to pay a penalty of Rs 15 lakh for illegal conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural use without permission," Parab stated clearly in the official document.
Legal Basis for the Action
Official property records identify the land as survey number 410, classified under the Goa Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1964. This legislation contains specific provisions regarding land use.
The law explicitly states that tenanted agricultural land must be used exclusively for farming purposes. Section 18K prohibits the sale or lease of such land without prior approval from the mamlatdar, the local revenue officer.
Background of the Case
State authorities first sealed Club Goya on December 11th. This action came after officials determined the establishment was built on agricultural land without proper commercial zoning. Multiple regulatory violations were documented during inspections.
The crackdown on non-compliant clubs intensified following the tragic Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire on December 6th. That devastating incident claimed twenty-five lives, prompting stricter enforcement across Goa's entertainment sector.
Specific Violations Discovered
Club Goya opened its doors in January 2025, operating on approximately eighteen thousand square meters of tenanted land. Authorities confirmed the club violated both land-use regulations and statutory norms.
Government officials declared the entire structure unauthorized, leading to decisive legal action. The joint enforcement committee, specially constituted by the government, conducted thorough inspections of the premises.
During these inspections, committee members discovered multiple discrepancies in the club's permissions. Club officials could not provide satisfactory explanations for these irregularities when questioned by authorities.
Official Statements and Concerns
North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav explained the reasoning behind the sealing decision. "The decision to seal the premises was taken because it was built on tenanted agricultural land," Yadav stated clearly.
Before issuing the final order, the Bardez mamlatdar gave the nightclub owners and management an opportunity to present their case. They were allowed to explain their position regarding the land use violations.
A government officer who participated in the joint enforcement committee inspection raised additional concerns. The officer expressed doubts about the structural stability of the club building itself, though specific details were not elaborated in official statements.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The demolition order carries serious consequences for non-compliance. If Club Goya fails to restore the land within the thirty-day deadline, local authorities will take direct action.
The mamlatdar has authority to restore the agricultural land to its original state at the club's expense. All costs associated with this restoration work would be recovered from the nightclub owners according to the official order.
