MAPUSA
The Anjuna-Caisua Village Panchayat has issued a show-cause notice to Diaz Club, directing the nightclub to immediately stop operations for allegedly running without mandatory statutory permissions and in violation of a demolition-related stop-business order.
The notice, issued under Section 72 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, follows a January 21 directive from the Block Development Officer, Mapusa, ordering an inquiry into the club’s functioning. A subsequent site inspection conducted on January 27 at the premises in Survey No. 509/1, Anjuna, found that the establishment lacked several essential licences required to operate a bar and restaurant.
According to the panchayat, Diaz Club failed to produce valid trade licences, No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and departmental clearances during the inspection, relying instead on a provisional NOC issued in September 2024, which does not amount to a final trade or establishment licence. The panchayat noted that the club has been conducting full-fledged commercial operations despite the absence of approvals from key departments, including Excise, Tourism, Health, Labour and the Goa State Pollution Control Board for bar operations.
Crucially, the notice highlights that the structures housing the nightclub are already covered under a demolition order dated June 4, 2025, issued for illegal and unauthorised construction. While an appeal against the demolition is pending, the Additional Director of Panchayats, in an order dated July 8, 2025, had explicitly directed that no illegal business activity be carried out from the said structures. The panchayat has alleged that the club continued operations in direct violation of this order.
The panchayat further stated that while fire safety and pollution consents were obtained for a restaurant, mandatory and separate permissions for operating a bar were never secured. It alleged that the establishment was illegally running a bar under the guise of a restaurant licence to bypass stricter regulatory norms.
Diaz Club has been given 15 days to explain why action should not be taken, including sealing of the premises, permanent closure and cancellation of the provisional NOC. A personal hearing has been scheduled on February 20. Pending the proceedings, the panchayat has ordered an immediate halt to all commercial activities.
