Two activists had alerted Goa authorities a month before the dead ly Arpora nightclub fire, warning that officials who failed to enforce laws could face personal liability for accidents, injuries, or loss of life. Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil D Divker sent le gal notices on November 4, 2025 to the State govern ment, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat, Deputy Collector, SDO, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), Bardez BDO, Goa State Pollution Control Board, and the Di rector of Panchayats. They demanded immediate in spections, demolition of illegal structures, and initia tion of criminal proceedings against unauthorised com mercial operations at Arpo ra. The notices were served by Adv Rohit Bras de Sa on behalf of the two activists. The notices highlighted that despite multiple com plaints, inspections, show cause notices, and a formal demolition order, violations continued, posing serious threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law. The activists had first lodged complaints with the panchayat in December 2023, pointing out severe violations on survey prop erties 156/0 and 159/0, located in a designated eco-sensitive salt pan area. A physical inspection by panchayat officials in Jan uary 2024 confirmed the presence of unauthorised commercial shops and ille gal constructions. The property owner, Surinder Kumar Khosla, failed to provide documenta ry evidence to establish the legality of the constructions, prompting the panchayat to issue a demolition order. Instead of complying, Kho sla filed an administrative appeal in May 2024 under Section 66(7) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, which was stayed by the Addition al Director of Panchayats-I, leaving the case in admin istrative limbo that Khosla reportedly exploited to con tinue operations. Simultaneously, the Bardez Mamlatdar conducted an independent investigation into violations of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968. In June 2024, the Mamlatdar submit ted a report to the Deputy Collector & SDO, confirming the illegal conversion of agricultural land for commercial pur poses and unauthorised land filling over 25,750 sq m at an average height of 1.5 metres, in violation of Section 17-A of the Goa TCP Act, 1974. Based on this, the Deputy Collector & SDO issued a show cause notice under Section 33 of the Goa Land Revenue Code. Despite these communications, the TCP Department did not take effective action to halt illegal operations or verify compliance with building regulations, the activists said. In April 2024, the GCZMA documented gross violations of the CRZ Notification 2011, finding a G+1 RCC structure of roughly 550 sq m partially built over a water body. The ground floor functioned as a kitchen and store, while the first floor, made with MS channels and coconut leaf roofing, served as a restaurant. Formal show cause notices were issued by GCZMA on April 4, 2025, and by the Deputy Col lector & SDO on September 23, 2025, detailing additional illegal constructions
Activists warned authorities about illegalArpora club a month before tragedy
