ED attaches ₹11.01 crore properties in Goa nightclub fire case
Synopsis
More than five months after a fire killed 25 people at Goa's 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, the ED has attached another ₹11.01 crore in properties — pushing total seizures to ₹29.05 crore. Investigators say the venue ran on forged NOCs and an expired trade licence, generating nearly ₹29.78 crore in what is now classified as proceeds of crime.
Key Takeaways
The ED's Panaji Zonal Office provisionally attached ₹11.01 crore in immovable properties on 27 May under PMLA, 2002 .
Total assets attached and frozen in the case now stand at approximately ₹29.05 crore .
The probe relates to the 6 December 2025 fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' , Arpora, which killed 25 people .
The venue was allegedly operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without a Fire NOC , using forged Health NOC and Police Clearance Certificate.
The nightclub's trade licence had expired on 31 March 2024 ; it reportedly continued operations illegally until the fire.
Total revenue of nearly ₹29.78 crore generated by the venue has been identified as proceeds of crime under PMLA.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s Panaji Zonal Office has provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹11.01 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the illegal operation of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora, Goa. The action, confirmed by ED officials on Wednesday, 27 May, brings the total value of assets attached and frozen in the case to approximately ₹29.05 crore.
Background: The December 2025 Fire
The probe stems from a devastating fire on 6 December 2025 at the popular Arpora nightclub, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured. The tragedy triggered widespread outrage across Goa over alleged safety violations and regulatory failures. The Goa Police registered First Information Reports (FIRs) at the Anjuna and Mapusa police stations against Saurabh Luthra and others, forming the basis for the ED's money laundering investigation.
How the Establishment Operated Illegally
According to ED officials, the venue was run by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without obtaining mandatory statutory clearances, most critically a Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). Investigators allege that partners submitted forged documents — including a fake Health NOC and a fabricated Police Clearance Certificate — to project the establishment as compliant with regulations.
Notably, the trade licence for the venue had expired on 31 March 2024, yet commercial operations allegedly continued uninterrupted until the fire. The FIRs cover serious offences including forgery and submission of fabricated statutory documents to secure regulatory approvals.
The Financial Trail
The ED's investigation established that the nightclub generated total revenue of nearly ₹29.78 crore between Financial Year 2023-24 and 6 December 2025. This entire amount has been identified as proceeds of crime under PMLA, according to officials.
Earlier searches conducted on 23 January 2026 at linked premises led to the seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices, along with the freezing of bank accounts totalling ₹59 lakh. A previous provisional attachment order worth ₹17.45 crore had already been issued before this latest action.
What Comes Next
The ED has indicated that further action will follow as the investigation progresses, with authorities working to map the full financial trail and determine the role of all parties involved. The agency's focus remains on tracing and attaching assets derived from criminal activities linked to the illegal operation of the venue. This development is expected to strengthen the legal cases against the accused and may offer some measure of accountability to the families of the 25 victims killed in the fire.
Point of View
Generating nearly ₹30 crore in revenue under regulatory noses. The real accountability question is not just about the accused operators, but about the inspection and approval machinery in Goa that allowed a venue without a Fire NOC to remain commercially active. Financial enforcement is necessary, but without parallel action on the officials who may have enabled or overlooked these lapses, the PMLA case addresses the symptom rather than the system.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ED's action in the Goa nightclub fire case?
The Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹11.01 crore on 27 May under PMLA, 2002, linked to the illegal operation of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora, Goa. This brings the total attachments and freezings in the case to around ₹29.05 crore.
How many people died in the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire?
The fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora, Goa, on 6 December 2025 killed 25 people and injured several others. The incident triggered widespread outrage over safety violations and regulatory failures at the venue.
Why was the nightclub considered to be operating illegally?
According to ED officials, the venue lacked mandatory statutory clearances including a Fire NOC. Its trade licence had expired on 31 March 2024, yet it allegedly continued operations. Partners are accused of submitting forged documents — including a fake Health NOC and a fabricated Police Clearance Certificate — to appear compliant.
How much revenue did the nightclub generate, and why does it matter legally?
The venue generated nearly ₹29.78 crore in revenue between Financial Year 2023-24 and 6 December 2025. The ED has classified this entire amount as proceeds of crime under PMLA, making it the basis for attachment and potential forfeiture.
What earlier action had the ED taken in this case?
On 23 January 2026, the ED searched linked premises, seizing documents and digital devices and freezing bank accounts worth ₹59 lakh. A previous provisional attachment order of ₹17.45 crore had also been issued before the latest ₹11.01 crore attachment.
