Amidst high drama, the State government machinery swung into action early Friday morning and demolished several structures of the controversial Curlies night club even as the owners managed to get a stay from the Supreme Court on the demolition in one survey number.
The action came after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the demolition order issued by the State coastal authority against the club for violating the Coastal Regulation Zone norms.
The demolition which began at 7 am was halted at around 11 am for around three hours to get clarity on the SC order but resumed in the second half of the day and continued till late in the evening.
The demolition of remaining structures is expected to continue on Saturday.
Since the JCB machines could not make way on to the beach side, the demolition work was being carried out manually with 30 to 40 labourers engaged in bringing down the illegal structure.
Officials of various government departments along with men and machinery descended near the Curlies restaurant to carry out the impending demolition order.
First, the officials of the electricity department disconnected the power supply even as two JCB machines began pounding the structure from above while a group of 30 to 40 labourers started dismantling the wooden floor and tiles on the ground floor.
The kitchen, bar and store room of the restaurant were completely torn down while several other open areas were also smashed.
The Curlies management which was caught unawares by the swift move of the administration was seen running around to salvage whatever property was possible from the restaurant.
North Goa Collector Mamu Hage (IAS), IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi along with senior officials from revenue, GCZMA, land and survey, electricity and the demolition squad were present on the site.
A large number of police personnel from Anjuna, Mapusa, and Colvale were also deputed to the site.
Around 11 am, the Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India, UU Lalit, partially stayed the ongoing demolition of the controversial structure.
The order explicitly mentioned that the stay on the demolition will pertain only to Survey No 42/10 and rest the demolition can continue.
The bench headed by the Chief Justice also said in the order that the matter was taken up as it was mentioned for urgent listing and the demolition was going on.
Senior counsel Huzefa Ahmadi, who represented Linet Nunes, one of the co-owners of the property, told the Apex Court that the structure in Survey No.42/10 was in existence prior to the year 1991.
Ahmadi also reiterated that only Survey No.42/10 belongs to Nunes and the other structures don't.
Taking note of Ahmadi's submissions, the Chief Justice U U Lalit headed bench then issued notices returnable on September 16 and in the interim directed that there shall be stay of demolition with respect to structures standing on Survey No.42/10 subject to the appellant not undertaking any commercial activity in the said structure.
The Supreme Court also specifically mention in the order that structures existing in lands other than Survey No.42/10 are not covered by the order.
"Resultantly, if there be any unauthorized construction in lands other than Survey No.42/10, the demolition can certainly go on," the Supreme Court order said.
It has also asked that the response on behalf of all the respondents be filed on or before September 14, including enclosing all reports as well as pictures and plans.
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