Digital Goa, April, 8 – The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable properties worth approximately ₹17.45 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in connection with its probe into the alleged illegal operation of the establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Arpora. The ED initiated its investigation based on FIRs registered by Goa Police at Anjuna and Mapusa police stations against Saurabh Luthra and others under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The FIRs relate to the fire incident on December 6, 2025, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured, as well as allegations of large-scale forgery and fabrication of statutory documents to obtain regulatory approvals. According to the agency, the establishment was operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without mandatory approvals, including a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). The probe has revealed that forged documents, including a fake health NOC and a forged police clearance certificate, were allegedly submitted to authorities to secure licences and present the premises as compliant. Investigators further found that the partners continued commercial operations despite the expiry of key licences. The trade licence had lapsed on March 31, 2024, but was not renewed, while the business allegedly continued to function in violation of statutory norms. The ED stated that the establishment generated revenue of around ₹29.78 crore between FY 2023-24 and December 6, 2025, which has been identified as “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA. Earlier, searches conducted on January 23, 2026, at multiple locations linked to the entity led to the seizure of documents and digital devices, along with the freezing of bank accounts amounting to approximately ₹59 lakh.
