https://navhindtimes.in/goanews/ed-moves-special-court-in-money-laundering-case-linked-to-birch-fire/

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji zonal office, has filed a prosecution complaint under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Saurabh Luthra and others in connection with the investigation into the alleged illegal operation of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora. The prosecution complaint has been filed before the Special Court, North Goa.

It may be noted that the ED had provisionally attached properties valued at approximately Rs 29.05 crore under the provisions of the PMLA. The ED initiated its investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by the Anjuna and Mapusa police against Saurabh Luthra and others under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The FIRs pertain not only to the major fire incident of December 6, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 25 persons and injuries to several others, but also to offences involving the alleged forgery of documents, including fake and fabricated NOCs and other statutory documents used for obtaining regulatory approvals.

The ED had said that its investigation under the PMLA revealed that the establishment was being operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without obtaining mandatory statutory approvals, including a fire NOC. The partners of the establishment had allegedly submitted forged and fabricated documents, including a fake health NOC and a forged police clearance certificate, for obtaining licences and projecting the establishment as legitimate.

The ED said that the investigation further revealed that the partners, in connivance with each other, knowingly continued commercial operations despite the absence or expiry of mandatory licences. The trade licence of the establishment expired on March 31, 2024, and was not renewed, yet the establishment allegedly continued operations thereafter.

The ED further said that the establishment generated total revenue of approximately Rs 29.78 crore from the financial year 2023-24 to 2025-26 (till December 6, 2025), which has been identified as proceeds of crime under the PMLA.