New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Panaji Zonal Office stated on Sunday that it recently conducted search operations at nine premises in Goa, New Delhi, and Gurugram, including those belonging to the Sarpanch and Secretary of the Arpora-Nagao Panchayat. The searches are part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation against Saurabh Luthra and others.
The probe pertains to alleged money-laundering activities linked to the owners of the nightclub “Birch by Romeo Lane” in Arpora, Goa, where a tragic fire on December 6, 2025, resulted in 25 fatalities. The ED initiated its investigation based on two FIRs registered by the Goa Police, which cite scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The searches uncovered serious statutory compliance irregularities, including the procurement of licences using forged documents and the continued operation of commercial activities despite lacking mandatory approvals from competent authorities.
During the searches, it was revealed that the entity operating Birch by Romeo Lane generated approximately Rs 22 crore in revenue during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 financial years. This revenue is prima facie suspected to constitute proceeds of crime, as the club was operating without necessary statutory licences and on the basis of forged No Objection Certificates and licences from various departments. Evidence of foreign remittances routed through group entities was also unearthed, and possible legal contraventions are being examined.
Further investigation revealed that crores of rupees generated from the illegal operation of the establishment were diverted to personal bank accounts of individuals as well as to accounts of other group entities. Various incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered and seized. Additionally, bank accounts of persons and entities suspected of holding proceeds of crime have been frozen under PMLA provisions.
The investigation is also examining any possible corruption angle and the subsequent laundering of proceeds of crime by other involved persons, two of whom were recently arrested by the Goa Police. Further investigation is on.
