Day after NGT order, nightclub loses part of its facade

At 7:30 am, Friday, the locals heard the sound of earth movers in Anjuna, where a part of the nightclub and restobar Curlie’s was ordered to be razed. The action, taken after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) upheld the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) 2016 demolition order, was pulled to a standstill after the Supreme Court granted a stay on the demolition, only to resume hours later after clear demarcation of the property.
The air was sullen, as parts of the structure were being completely razed, with tables, chairs and planks of wood flooring strewn around, in the presence of more than 30 police officials stationed there.

The morning also saw a few dejected tourists, who were looking to have a good time. “We come here every year, only because of the vibe. We were asked to leave by the locals because it was demolished and we don’t want to get into any controversy,” says a tourist from Pune.
Though the structure has come under scrutiny for its alleged drug involvement and apparent violation of the CRZ norms, locals are saddened at the razing. According to sources, over
100 people worked at Curlie’s as staff and thus many families would depend on the space
for employment.
Anjuna has been in the limelight for the longest time, sometimes negatively, because of the flea market and the nightclub. The touristy vibe however, has given locals a means to make a quick buck. Some lease their property as parking areas, while others cook smaller, cheaper meals. Thus, Sarita,* who stays nearby, was visibly dejected. “People have earned their living from their small shops around here, because Curlie’s attracts many tourists, who would then come to buy the Maggi noodles I sold,” she says. “Smaller pieces of the cake were thus shared among everyone. But since it’s closed now with plans to raze it down, many small-time businesses will get affected,” adds another local.

Chequered History of nightclub’s Tumultuous Past over the years
■ After NGT violations, parts of Curlie’s razed – September 9, 2022
■ Decomposed body found in Anjuna, near Curlie’s – September 6, 2022
■ Seal Curlie’s, conduct full inquiry: Goa CM Pramod Sawant to cops – 30 August 2022
■ Curlie’s management arrested after drugs found in shack toilet – 28 August 2022
■ Sonali Phogat allegedly given ‘obnoxious substance’ in drinking water, she is found dead later – 22 August 2022
■ After drug cloud, Curlie’s gets stop ops notice for ‘illegal structure’ – 15 September, 2017
■ Court grants Anjuna club manager bail – August 20, 2017
■ FDA finds unhygienic conditions, shuts it, lists 30 violations – August 18, 2017
■ GCZMA issues demolition orders based on complaints against illegal structures – July 21, 2016
■ Case against Anjuna's Curlie’s shack for loud music – October 2, 2012
■ Scarlett Keeling case: The British teenager, regular at Curlie’s found dead – February 18, 2008