Assagao petitioner accuses authorities of shielding Elite Builders
MAPUSA
The Bombay High Court at Goa has issued a notice to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo for alleged non-compliance with a demolition order – confirmed by every judicial forum up to the Supreme Court – against the illegal structures of M/s Elite Builders at the Nazri Beach Resort in Calangute.
Lobo, who is a partner in the project, has been directed to respond by February 4, 2026, marking a significant escalation in a case that has seen seven years of non-execution despite clear directions from statutory and judicial bodies.
The notice comes after an Assagao resident filed a writ petition accusing the State government, GCZMA and the Calangute panchayat of “deliberate, wilful and systematic inaction” aimed at protecting the politically powerful developer. The petition alleges that despite the demolition order being upheld by the NGT and later by the Supreme Court, authorities continued to look the other way while the resort remained fully operational.
According to the petition, the GCZMA had on July 9, 2018 categorically ordered demolition of the unauthorised structures in Survey Nos 319/2, 3, 5 and 12, after finding clear violations of the CRZ Notification, 1991.
Lobo’s firm, M/s Elite Builders, challenged the order before the NGT – but the Tribunal dismissed the appeal.
The developer then approached the Supreme Court, where the appeal met the same fate. On April 8, 2024, the apex court refused to entertain arguments over the high tide line or permissible construction, leaving the demolition order legally final and binding.
Despite this, the petitioner argues, not a single brick has been removed in seven years. Instead, the structures allegedly continue to run commercial operations, aided by routine renewal of trade licences by the Calangute panchayat.
The petition accuses the panchayat and the GCZMA of acting in concert to “perpetuate illegality” and protect those with political influence.
The writ petition asserts that the State’s prolonged inaction amounts to a violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, denies citizens a clean environment and makes a mockery of the rule of law.
The petitioner has urged the High Court to order immediate demolition within a fixed timeline, revoke all trade licences, seal the premises and initiate action against officials – including the GCZMA Member Secretary and Calangute panchayat Secretary – who allegedly enabled the delay.
With the High Court now formally calling upon the MLA to explain himself, the political and legal heat around the illegal Nazri Beach Resort is set to intensify.
