Goa nightclub fire case: ED flags Rs 22 cr as suspected proceeds of crime, freezes accounts

A devastating fire broke out at the nightclub in Goa’s Arpora village on December 6, 2025, during a dance party, killing 25 people and injuring nearly 50 others. (File photo)

• ED suspects Rs 22 crore revenue from Goa nightclub as proceeds of crime
• Club operated without licences, used forged NOCs; 8 arrested including promoters
• Bank accounts frozen, foreign remittances probed; Red Notice issued for UK owner

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Sunday, said the entity operating Birch by Romeo Lane, the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire last year, generated around Rs 22 crore in revenue over the last two financial years, which it suspects to be “proceeds of crime” under the anti-money laundering law.

The agency said the revenue was earned while the club was allegedly operating without mandatory statutory licences and on the basis of forged No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The ED conducted searches on January 23 at nine premises across Goa, Delhi, and Gurugram in connection with its probe.

A devastating fire broke out at the nightclub in Goa’s Arpora village on December 6, 2025, during a dance party, killing 25 people and injuring nearly 50 others.

In a statement, the ED said the searches revealed "serious irregularities in statutory compliance", including the procurement of licences using forged documents and the continuation of commercial operations despite the absence of required approvals. The probe found that the club generated approximately Rs 22 crore during FY24 and FY25.

“These funds are prima facie suspected to constitute proceeds of crime,” the agency said, adding that crores of rupees were allegedly diverted to personal bank accounts and to other group entities. Several bank accounts suspected of holding proceeds of crime have been frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED also said it found evidence of foreign remittances routed through group entities and is examining possible violations of other laws, including any corruption angle linked to the laundering of funds.

The money-laundering investigation stems from two FIRs registered by the Goa Police. Eight people have been arrested so far, including brothers Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, promoters of the club, who allegedly fled the country hours after the incident and travelled to Thailand. They were deported to India on December 17 and are currently in judicial custody.

Searches were also conducted at the premises of former Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar and ex-panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar, who are accused of facilitating illegal trade licences and NOCs for the club. Both have been arrested by the police.

The ED further examined the role of British national Surinder Kumar Khosla, one of the club’s owners, in connection with the alleged illegal conversion of khazan (salt pan) land on which the nightclub was located. A Red Notice has been issued against Khosla as he is not currently in India.

Earlier this month, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the state assembly that the nightclub had operated under different names over the years and that the government would probe violations dating back to 1999. A magisterial inquiry into the fire has alleged collusion by the local panchayat, accusing it of failing in its statutory duty by allowing the club to operate without a valid trade licence.