SC stays demolition of Goa's Curlies restaurant where Sonali Phogat was allegedly drugged

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the demolition of Goa's Curlies restaurant subject to the condition that no commercial activities take place there. The restaurant, located on the famous Anjuna beach in North Goa, came to the limelight following the death of TikTok star and BJP leader Sonali Phogat.

The top court issued the stay order after the Goa government began razing down the beach shack, citing a violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

"There shall be a stay on demolition with respect to structure in Survey No. 42.10 subject to the appellants not undertaking any commercial activities in respect of structures," the court said.

The Goa government began demolishing the controversial restaurant on Friday morning after its owner failed to get any respite from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against a 2016 demolition order of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).

Curlies' restaurant's link to Sonali Phogat's murder

Sonali Phogat was found partying at the nightclub hours before her death. Later, her two associates, along with Curlies' owner Edwin Nunes were arrested in the case. Nunes was later granted bail. 

According to the police, the former 'Bigg Boss' contestant, was allegedly drugged at the restaurant before her death on August 23. According to the Goa police, Phogat was administered methamphetamine and some left-over drug was recovered from the restaurant's washroom. 

The actress was last seen in that restaurant along with two accused, hours before she was brought dead to a hospital in North Goa. 

The police have arrested Phogat's personal assistant Sudhir Sangwan, another aide Sukhwinder Singh, restauranteur Edwin Nunes, and alleged drug peddlers Dattaprasad Gaonkar and Ramdas Mandrekar.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said he has full faith in the state police department that is investigating the alleged murder of the actor.