The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim stay on the demolition of Curlies Beach Shack in Goa, which was underway at the restaurant, following the orders of the National Green Tribunal.
The Bench of Chief Justice U.U. Lalit, Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice P.S. Narasimha directed that no operation will be undertaken in the structure, which was chosen for demolition in Survey No 42.10 by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
The Apex Court further said that in case, there was unauthorised construction on land other than the specified survey number, the demolition could be carried out by the GCZMA.
The Bench also issued notice to the state of Goa and the GCZMA, directing them to file reply before Wednesday in connection with the matter, along with all pictures and reports of the assessment.
The Supreme Court directed the restaurant to suspend all commercial operation till the next hearing in the case, which would be on September 16.
The matter was mentioned before the CJI-led Bench by Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, stating that the NGT order was uploaded yesterday and the demolition was already underway.
He added that during the hearing, no one appeared from the other side and the demolition of the restaurant was ordered.
The restaurant hit the headlines on August 23, when BJP leader Sonali Phogat was found dead in a hotel room. On August 27, police arrested Edwin Nunes, owner of the restaurant, after drugs were found in the iconic shack. He was granted conditional bail by the NDPS Court in Goa on September 7.