Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), 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 alleged illegal operations of “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Arpora, Goa.
The case is linked to the devastating fire incident reported on December 6, 2025, at the former Curlies premises, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured.
According to an official press release issued on May 27, 2026, the ED initiated its investigation based on FIRs registered by Goa Police at Anjuna and Mapusa Police Stations against Saurabh Luthra and others under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The agency stated that the investigation uncovered alleged large-scale forgery involving fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and fabricated statutory documents used for obtaining approvals for the establishment.
The ED alleged that M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP was operating the establishment without mandatory permissions, including a valid Fire NOC. Investigators further claimed that forged documents, including a fake Health NOC and forged Police Clearance Certificate, were submitted to portray the business as legally compliant.
Authorities also stated that the trade licence of the establishment had expired on March 31, 2024, and was never renewed. Despite this, commercial operations allegedly continued illegally thereafter.
According to the ED, the establishment generated approximately Rs 29.78 crore in revenue between FY 2023–24 and FY 2025–26 till December 6, 2025, which has been identified as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
Earlier, on January 23, 2026, the ED conducted searches at multiple premises linked to the accused entities, leading to the seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices. Bank accounts amounting to around Rs 59 lakh were also frozen during the operation.
Officials added that a previous Provisional Attachment Order worth approximately Rs 17.45 crore had already been issued in the matter. With the latest attachment, the total attachment and freezing in the case now stands at around Rs 29.05 crore.
