ED Alleges ₹22 Crore Money Laundering by Goa Nightclub Behind Deadly Fire
January 25, 2026
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday said the Goa nightclub where 25 people died last year generated ₹22 crore in two years as suspected "proceeds of crime". The club, 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora village, ran without proper licenses. On January 23, the ED raided locations in Goa, Delhi, and Haryana linked to the club and promoters Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. The December 6, 2025 fire at the club injured 50. ED uncovered forged documents and illegal approvals used to keep the club running. They said funds from these illegal operations were diverted to personal and group accounts. Several bank accounts have been frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Foreign remittances linked to the group are under investigation. The probe also explores corruption and money laundering by other involved persons. Goa police filed two FIRs, arrested eight people including the Luthra brothers, who fled to Thailand after the fire but were deported back. Goa CM Pramod Sawant stated the club operated under different names since 1999, prompting further inquiry. The ED also arrested former Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar and ex-panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar, accused of issuing illegal licenses. British owner Surinder Kumar Khosla is under a Red Notice by Interpol as he is outside India. ED continues to probe the money laundering and land conversion linked to the club's operation.
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Tags:
Goa Nightclub Fire
Enforcement directorate
Money laundering
Birch By Romeo Lane
Gaurav Luthra
Forged Licenses
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