Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable assets valued at around Rs 17.45 crore in connection with its money laundering investigation into the alleged illegal functioning of the establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Arpora.
The probe was initiated 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. These cases pertain to the December 6, 2025 fire incident that claimed 25 lives and left several persons injured, along with allegations of large-scale forgery of statutory documents, including No Objection Certificates (NOCs), to obtain regulatory approvals.
According to the ED, the establishment was operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without securing mandatory permissions, including the required Fire NOC. Investigators found that the partners allegedly submitted fabricated documents, including a fake Health NOC and forged Police Clearance Certificate, to different authorities to obtain licences and portray the business as compliant with regulations.
The agency further stated that the partners, acting in concert, continued commercial operations despite the absence and expiry of key licences. The trade licence had reportedly expired on March 31, 2024 and was never renewed, yet the establishment continued functioning in violation of statutory norms.
Financial investigation revealed that the establishment generated revenue of approximately Rs 29.78 crore between FY 2023–24 and FY 2025–26 (till December 6, 2025). The ED has identified these earnings as “proceeds of crime” under Section 2(1)(u) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Earlier, on January 23, 2026, the ED conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the entity, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices. Bank accounts holding about Rs 59 lakh were also frozen during the operation.
Further investigation in the case is ongoing.
