Administration flip-flops on raiding Goa nightclub

PANAJI - In a sudden flip flop, the district administration first asked the police not to raid a notorious night club and within a couple of hours withdrew that order without explanation.

The night club ‘Club Paradiso’ located at Anjuna beach, 20 km from here, was raided by Director General of Police (DGP) Bhimsain Bassi in mid-March for playing loud music beyond stipulated hours.

“The order asking police to stay away from the nightclub was issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Dasharath) Redkar today (Tuesday). But it was withdrawn immediately today,” District Magistrate Mihir Vardhan told IANS Tuesday.

While Vardhan was unable to explain why such an order was issued, Redkar refused to speak to the media on the issue.

Club Paradiso, one of the most popular nocturnal hotspots in north Goa, frequented by both foreign and Indian tourists, is known for trance music parties, which often run beyond the regulated 10 p.m. deadline.

Club Paradiso, located on a sea-fronted government lease land, is run by Nandan Kudchadkar, who is closely associated with north Goa Congress MP Francisco Sardinha.

The state government has already issued an eviction notice to Kudchadkar for not paying up dues to the tune of Rs.30 lakh.

Bassi, during one of his surprise visits to the coastal area, had ordered a night rave at the Club Paradiso to be stopped for violating the amplified music regulations in the state.

Goa receives 2.4 million tourists annually, nearly half a million of whom are foreign nationals.