In a significant enforcement action, the popular beachfront restaurant and bar 'Curlies' in Anjuna, North Goa, was sealed by government authorities on Friday. This move is part of a wider crackdown on establishments in the coastal belt, initiated after a tragic fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora two weeks prior, which claimed 25 lives, including five tourists.
A History of Controversy and Legal Battles
Officials stated that the sealing of Curlies was due to alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. The iconic beach shack has been embroiled in controversy for several years. It first came under intense scrutiny following the death of Haryana BJP leader and actor Sonali Phogat in August 2022. Phogat had visited Curlies with her associates the night before her death.
In a related development under the NDPS Act, Edwin Nunes, the brother of Curlies owner Linet Nunes, was arrested by Goa police after Methamphetamine, the drug allegedly given to Phogat, was discovered in the shack's bathroom. The legal troubles for the establishment deepened in June 2024 when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed an appeal filed by the owner. The appeal challenged a 2016 demolition order from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for illegal structures built in violation of CRZ norms.
Widespread Crackdown on Safety Violations
The action against Curlies is not an isolated incident. Following the devastating Arpora blaze on December 6, the government formed five committees to probe violations across the coastal belt. This has led to a series of sealing orders.
Just days before Curlies was sealed, authorities shut down three other clubs in the Anjuna and Vagator areas: Clara Beach Haven, Salud, and Mayan Beach Club. Officials revealed that Salud and Mayan Beach Club lacked a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Directorate of Fire Services, while Clara Beach Haven did not possess a mandatory structural stability certificate.
Earlier, on Monday, 'The Cape Goa' hotel in South Goa was also sealed. It was found to be operating on the Cabo de Rama hill using only a temporary shack licence.
Systemic Oversight Under Scrutiny
The crackdown has raised serious questions about the approval processes for hospitality venues in Goa. An investigation into the ill-fated Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub revealed that it had received at least seven approvals from the local panchayat and various government departments. These included trade, excise, and food safety licences, a nod from the pollution body, and three separate No-Objection Certificates, highlighting potential gaps in coordinated safety enforcement.
The sealing of Curlies, a landmark destination for tourists and locals for decades, marks a pivotal moment in Goa's ongoing struggle to balance its vibrant tourism industry with environmental regulations and public safety mandates. The state administration appears to be taking a stricter stance following recent tragedies.
