Team Goemkarponn
ANJUNA: The State government on Saturday shut down the much-discussed Diaz Club in Anjuna as part of an ongoing drive against nightlife venues accused of breaching licence conditions.
Officials confirmed that the premises were sealed following a coordinated inspection by the Excise Department, Fire and Emergency Services, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and the local panchayat. The inspection was triggered by multiple complaints alleging unlawful operations, overcrowding and serious safety concerns.
During the visit, authorities reportedly found the club functioning without a valid fire safety clearance and violating key conditions laid down under its trade and excise licences.
A senior government official said the establishment had been granted ample opportunity to address shortcomings flagged during earlier inspections. “Despite repeated notices and sufficient time to comply, the violations continued. In view of the persistent non-compliance, sealing the premises became unavoidable,” the official stated.
Sources revealed that Diaz Club had previously received show-cause notices and warnings for exceeding permitted operating hours and capacity limits. Inspecting teams also pointed out unauthorised structural changes and the lack of essential safety arrangements, including proper emergency exits and crowd control measures.
A senior officer from the Fire and Emergency Services department said the action was taken with public safety as the primary concern. “Fire safety regulations cannot be taken lightly, particularly in the wake of recent incidents elsewhere. Continued violations despite repeated warnings show a clear disregard for statutory requirements,” the officer said.
Residents in the surrounding area have for months raised concerns over excessive noise, traffic snarls and disturbances late into the night, which they attributed to the club’s operations.
“The closure should have happened much earlier. Complaints were piling up, but action was delayed,” a local resident remarked.
Government sources indicated that authorities are considering further steps, including licence cancellation and legal proceedings, if the alleged violations are established. Officials also suggested that several other establishments along the coastal stretch are under close watch and may face similar action in the days ahead.
