More than a year after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the demolition of Curlies Restaurant in Anjuna, locals are baffled to see the infamous establishment still operating — seemingly undisturbed by legal orders or closure notices.
The NGT’s May 31, 2024 ruling dismissed Appeal No 48 of 2016 (WZ) filed by Linette Nunes, and upheld the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) 2016 order to demolish the illegal G+1 structure standing on Survey No 42/10. The order also called for the land to be restored to its original condition.
Despite this, Curlies continues to function openly, drawing crowds of tourists daily. “I had written to the GCZMA asking for compliance of the NGT order, but have yet to hear from them. It’s been more than a year — and the place is still running, with zero respect for the law,” said Sagar Sirsaikar, one of the original petitioners.
Deputy Collector (North Goa) Varsha Parab said, “I was just hearing some cases but as soon as I finish, I will look into the matter and see, whatever needs to be done will be.”
Meanwhile, the GCZMA distanced itself from enforcement duties. “We passed the order, and it has been upheld. But demolition is now the responsibility of the Deputy Collector’s office,” said a GCZMA engineer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
On August 1, 2024, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) informed the Bombay High Court (Goa Bench), during contempt proceedings, that Curlies was among 27 establishments served with closure directions for operating without the necessary consent.
“I am dismantling the whole place. Work of dismantling was delayed because of the rains. I just need a few more days,” Edwin Nunes, the owner of the restaurant, was quoted as saying in the O Heraldo edition dated August 9, 2024.
Yet, last Sunday, tourists were seen enjoying themselves at the restaurant.
“The ambience is great — we had a lovely evening,” said Anuj Mehra, who was surprised to learn that the restaurant is operating under a court-ordered demolition notice. Edwin Nunes, the owner, was also spotted on-site.
When contacted, Nunes claimed: “I have demolished what had to be demolished. Someone else must have come and built something else. This is not Curlies.” To support his claim, Nunes sent a picture of a barren beach — though he was unable to explain the presence of people at the restaurant on the day of the visit. About his own presence, he had this to say: “I must have come to see the place.”
Petitioner Desmond Alvares expressed frustration. “He has fooled people before and will keep fooling. I’ve now sought fresh compliance of the NGT order. I also filed an RTI with the Deputy Collector’s office to find out why the demolition hasn’t happened.”
The controversy around Curlies is not new. In 2008, the restaurant was thrust into the spotlight after British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found murdered on the nearby beach. Her mother claimed Scarlett had visited the restaurant before the assault. In 2022, it returned to the headlines when Haryana BJP leader Sonali Phogat was brought dead to a hospital shortly after visiting the premises.
Today, villagers are left questioning how a demolition order, upheld by NGT and backed by closure notices, remains unimplemented — and how an establishment with such a controversial history continues to operate, seemingly above the law.