Ashish Nehra, the coach of Gujarat Titans, has found himself in a controversy involving his property in Cavelossim, South Goa. As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Auction approaches, Nehra faces scrutiny after receiving a show-cause notice from the local village panchayat regarding alleged illegal construction and deforestation in a No Development Zone (NDZ).
Alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Rules by Ashish Nehra
Nehra’s property, located in Cavelossim, is reportedly subject to strict Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, which restrict development in environmentally sensitive areas. The former cricketer is accused of constructing a road and cutting down trees in violation of these regulations.
According to a report by The Times of India, the local panchayat took action following complaints from residents that access to Cavelossim Beach had been blocked by fencing poles and road construction on private property.
In response, the Cavelossim Village Panchayat issued a stop-work notice, instructing Nehra and the other property owners to halt all activities immediately. The notice read: “You are hereby directed to stop immediately the progress of fencing with poles and development of the road, and submit all the legal documents pertaining to permission for fencing of poles and development of the road to this office, failing which further necessary action will be taken.”
Local Authorities step-in
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz confirmed that the notice was served to Nehra’s power-of-attorney holder, and since its issuance in June, no further construction activity has taken place. Vaz noted, “There are multiple owners of the property, and the concerned sports personality is just one among them.”
Vaz also highlighted environmental concerns at the site, stating, “The ongoing road construction is being carried out privately. Previously, there was an issue involving the cutting down of trees and setting them on fire at the site, which led to work being halted. The responsible party was instructed to replant the trees as mandated by the Forest Act, but there has been no follow up on this matter.”
Growing concerns among locals
The issue first came to light when local residents complained that their access to the beach was restricted by the development on Nehra’s property. On June 11, a group of concerned citizens lodged a formal complaint with the panchayat, leading to the issuance of the stop-work notice.
The situation has garnered significant attention, with strong reactions surfacing on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where users have weighed in on Nehra’s alleged involvement.
Potential Impact on Ashish Nehra IPL 2025 Preparations
This controversy comes at a critical time for Nehra, who is preparing for the IPL 2025 mega auction as the head coach of Gujarat Titans. While his legal team may be working to address the situation, the ongoing dispute could serve as an unwelcome distraction ahead of the auction and the upcoming IPL season.
For now, the Cavelossim Village Panchayat has expressed its intention to pursue further action against those responsible for the violations. With Nehra being one of the property owners, the matter is likely to remain under scrutiny until a resolution is reached.
