New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out coordinated raids at multiple locations across Goa, Delhi and Haryana in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the deadly nightclub fire in Goa that claimed 25 lives last year, officials said.
The searches followed the registration of a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the promoters of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa — the site of the fatal blaze on December 6, 2025.
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Raids Target Luthra Brothers’ Properties and Others’ Premises
ED teams searched around eight to nine premises, including the offices and residences of brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who are co-owners of the nightclub. The raids also extended to properties linked to Ajay Gupta, a business partner, as well as locations connected to local officials accused of facilitating illicit permissions.
Officials said searches were carried out at multiple sites in Delhi and Gurugram — including residential and office addresses in areas such as Outram Lanes (Kingsway Camp) and Tatvam Villas (Gurugram). In Goa, teams also examined premises tied to then-sarpanch Roshan Redkar and panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar, who are alleged to have issued illegal trade licences and no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the club’s operation.
ED officers were also reported at the property of Surinder Kumar Khosla, a British national believed to have ownership interests, to probe alleged financial irregularities arising from the illegal conversion of khazan land (salt pan) on which the club was built.
Background of the Fire Tragedy
The fire at Birch by Romeo Lane broke out during a dance party late on December 6, 2025, killing 25 people and injuring around 50 others. Subsequent investigations by multiple agencies pointed to serious safety lapses, regulatory violations and illegal construction at the venue.
In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, the owners — brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra — fled to Thailand. They were detained by Thai authorities and deported back to India on December 17, 2025, where they remain in the custody of Goa police as part of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Focus on Money Laundering and Regulatory Failures
While Goa police continue their probe into the cause of the fire and criminal liability, the ED’s action focuses on the money laundering angle — specifically, whether proceeds from alleged regulatory breaches, illegal licensing and unauthorised land use were channelled into assets or transactions that violate PMLA provisions.
Officials said the PMLA case aims to trace illicit financial flows and assets linked to the nightclub’s promoters and associated intermediaries, including alleged bribes or financial gains obtained through circumventing legal requirements. Relevant financial records, digital devices and documents seized during the raids are being analysed to follow the money trail.
Complex, Multi-Agency Effort Underway
The ED action is part of a broader, multi-agency effort into the Arpora nightclub fire, which has drawn widespread public and political scrutiny. Beyond the ED’s financial probe, special investigation teams and fire safety auditors have been examining compliance with building codes, fire safety norms and other regulatory standards that may have contributed to the tragedy.
As investigations continue, authorities have warned that further arrests or asset attachments could follow, depending on the evidence collected. The ED’s actions underscore a widening probe that now spans financial offences in addition to criminal liability and regulatory breaches.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
