Panaji, May 27 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s Panaji Zonal Office has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.01 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the illegal operation of the establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Goa’s Arpora, ED officials said on Wednesday.

This latest action brings the total attachment and freezing in the case to around Rs 29.05 crore, central agency officials added.

The ED initiated its investigation based on FIRs registered by the Goa Police at Anjuna and Mapusa police stations against Saurabh Luthra and others, ED officials said.

The cases are related to the devastating fire incident on December 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 people and injured several others.

The FIRs also cover serious offences of forgery, including submission of fake and fabricated No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other statutory documents to secure regulatory approvals, ED officials added.

Investigation revealed that the establishment was operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without obtaining mandatory statutory approvals, including the crucial Fire NOC.

Partners allegedly submitted forged documents such as a fake Health NOC and a forged Police Clearance Certificate to project the venue as legitimate.

Despite the trade licence expiring on March 31, 2024, the establishment continued commercial operations illegally.

The probe also established that the venue generated total revenue of nearly Rs 29.78 crore between Financial Year 2023-24 and December 6, 2025, which has been identified as proceeds of crime under PMLA, ED officials said.

Earlier searches conducted on January 23, 2026, at various linked premises led to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, and freezing of bank accounts amounting to Rs 59 lakh.

A previous provisional attachment order of Rs 17.45 crore had already been issued in the case.

The tragic fire at the popular nightclub had shaken Goa and triggered widespread outrage over safety violations and regulatory lapses.

The ED’s action focuses on tracing and attaching assets derived from criminal activities.

Authorities are continuing the investigation to identify the full extent of the financial trail and the role of all involved parties.

This development is expected to strengthen the cases against the accused and provide some closure to the families of the victims who lost their loved ones in the horrific incident.

The ED has said that further action will follow as the probe progresses.

–IANS

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