MAPUSA
With the shadow of the Birch by Romeo Lane tragedy still looming large, the Anjuna Panchayat has issued show-cause notices to a dozen restaurants cum nightclubs for operating without mandatory approvals.
Yet, even as notices are served and hearings scheduled, commercial activity continues unabated – and loud music blares deep into the night.
Among those served notices are popular establishments such as Diaz, Purple Martini, Mayan, CO2 and Talasha, all of which allegedly lack one or more statutory clearances, including fire safety, health, tourism and trade licences.
The most serious action has been initiated against the controversial Diaz Club, which the panchayat claims is operating “completely illegally.”
In its notice, the panchayat directed Diaz to immediately cease all commercial activities, citing the absence of multiple approvals – including a valid trade licence from the panchayat itself.
The panchayat has also written to the Anjuna Police seeking strict surveillance and enforcement to ensure compliance with the show cause order.
However, enforcement appears to be missing on the ground.
Despite the notices, parties continue, DJs spin tracks through the night, and tourists throng the beachside venues as if no proceedings are underway. Even panchayat members privately admit that night parties and loud music persist “without fear of the law.”
Demolition order ignored?
The case of Diaz has a longer trail of controversy.
In June 2025, the panchayat issued a demolition order against alleged illegal and unauthorised structures on the property. The club’s promoters challenged the order before the Additional Director of Panchayats, who in July 2025 directed that no illegal business be conducted in the disputed structures until the matter was decided.
Yet, according to Panchayat Secretary Rui Cardozo, the club has continued operations in defiance of that order.
“Despite the Dy Director’s clear direction, commercial activities are being conducted without all necessary statutory clearances, in contravention of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994,” Cardozo said.
In its latest notice, the panchayat has asked Diaz to explain why: A permanent cessation order should not be issued, the establishment should not be sealed and the provisional No Objection Certificate granted in 2024 should not be cancelled.
The club’s owner has been directed to appear for a personal hearing on February 20 with all original licences and permissions.
“We have to follow due procedure. Notices have been issued to Diaz and at least 12 other establishments that have failed to secure necessary approvals. Action will be taken as per law,” Cardozo maintained.
A pattern of violations
Diaz is no stranger to enforcement action.
The premises were sealed in July 2025 by the Goa State Pollution Control Board for violation of sound norms. It was again sealed in December and January by the district administration following the Birch fire tragedy for lacking requisite approvals.
Anjuna Police have also registered cases against the club for playing loud music beyond permissible limits.
Yet, critics say repeated sealing and reopening cycles expose systemic enforcement failures.
Sarpanch Surendra Govekar acknowledged the difficulty of ground-level enforcement.
“We have issued notices. In the case of Diaz, we have specifically asked them to stop commercial activity. Police are responsible for action against loud music,” he said, adding pointedly, “But in reality, things don’t happen on the ground.”
Crackdown or optics?
The flurry of notices comes amid heightened scrutiny after the Birch fire tragedy that killed 25 people, triggering statewide outrage and questions over regulatory oversight of nightlife establishments.
However, with commercial operations continuing unhindered along the beach belt, questions remain whether the current crackdown is substantive or merely procedural.
For now, the paperwork is in motion – but the music plays on.
