Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residential villa project in Candolim, Goa, has come under significant judicial scrutiny. The Bombay High Court's Goa bench recently issued notices in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleges widespread violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Allegations of Environmental Breaches
The PIL, filed against the high-profile project, claims that construction activities were undertaken in an ecologically sensitive coastal area, directly contravening established CRZ regulations. Specifically, the petition asserts that the villa project is situated within a CRZ-III zone, a classification that designates it as a no-development zone.
Further allegations detail that the construction, which reportedly includes a swimming pool, is located approximately 55 meters from the high tide line of the Sinquerim River. This proximity, according to the petitioners, represents a clear breach of environmental protection laws designed to safeguard coastal ecosystems.
Challenging the Occupancy Certificate
Beyond the environmental concerns, the PIL also challenges the validity of the occupancy certificate issued by the local panchayat on April 30, 2025. The petitioners contend that this certificate was granted despite significant deviations from the originally sanctioned building plan and various procedural lapses.
Judicial Process Initiated
In response to these serious claims, the High Court has issued notices to a comprehensive list of respondents. These include Salman Khan himself, along with several key governmental and regulatory bodies. Among those asked to respond are the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, the North Goa Planning and Development Authority, the Candolim Village Panchayat, the state Town and Country Planning Department, the Directorate of Panchayats, the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The company linked to the project has also received a notice.
It is important to note that the issuance of these notices signifies the commencement of a judicial examination into the allegations and does not, at this stage, constitute a finding of wrongdoing. All respondents are required to submit their replies as the matter progresses through the legal system.