Says no notice was served before the directive to SDO
PANAJI
Carrick Bend Realty LLP, the firm operating the Morjim-based beach club Basitan Riviera, owned by a Bollywood actor, has contended that the “principles of natural justice” were violated, alleging that it was not served any notice before the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) directed the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) to carry out the demolition.
The review plea came up for hearing before the GCZMA on Thursday, during which the alleged violators argued that they were denied an opportunity to be heard. They claimed that the Authority had directly issued demolition directions without formally serving notices, thereby ignoring basic procedural safeguards.
The Authority has fixed the matter for the next hearing in January 2026.
Strongly opposing the review petition, complainant Mayur Shetgaonkar, represented by advocate Sherwyn Correira, submitted that the same structures had already been demolished in 2024 for multiple violations. Despite this, the operators allegedly reconstructed the very same structures at the same location, prompting fresh action by the GCZMA.
Correira argued that the GCZMA’s powers to review its own orders are limited strictly to procedural aspects and do not extend to reconsideration on the merits. As such, he contended that the review application was not maintainable. He further submitted that no prejudice had been caused to the operators since there was already a prior demolition order, which had been complied with in 2024.
“Despite the earlier demolition, the operators rebuilt the structures at the same site. Therefore, the question of natural justice does not arise, as the structures were already under the scrutiny of the GCZMA,” Correira told The Goan.
The complainant also urged the Authority to restrain the beach club from operating or carrying out any commercial activity while the review petition is pending. However, according to Correira, the GCZMA declined to interfere with its principal demolition order.
At its 464th meeting held on July 10, 2025, the GCZMA had directed Carrick Bend Realty LLP to demolish eight unauthorised structures at the Morjim site. These included high RCC plinth beams, masonry walls, MS channel structures with GI sheet roofing, RCC tanks on the western side of the property, and other constructions. The Authority had also suspended all earlier permissions granted to the project until full compliance with the demolition order.
The order covered structures located in survey numbers 118, 118/0 and 118/1-S-1 to 118/1-S-4, and required the area to be restored to its original condition within 30 days from July 10, 2025. The GCZMA had warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would compel the Deputy Collector and SDO to initiate demolition action.
Subsequently, on September 7, the GCZMA issued a formal demolition directive to the Bardez Deputy Collector, instructing that the illegal structures be razed within 30 days. However, even after the deadline lapsed, the structures remain standing and the beach club continues to operate.
Meanwhile, a petition filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, remains pending, alleging inaction by the authorities in enforcing the GCZMA’s demolition order.
