ED ATTACHED PROPERITES VALUED 11 CRORES OF “BIRCH BY ROMEO LANE” AT ARPORA, GOA.

Face2News./ Panji

Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable properties valued at Rs. 11.01 Crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an ongoing investigation relating  to the illegal operation of the establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Arpora, Goa.

ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by Goa Police (Anjuna Police Station and Mapusa Police Station) against Saurabh Luthra and others under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The FIRs pertain not only to the major fire incident dated 06.12.2025, which resulted in the death of 25 persons and injuries to several others, but also to offences involving forgery of documents, including fake and
fabricated No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other statutory documents used for obtaining regulatory approvals.

Investigation under PMLA revealed that the establishment was being operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without obtaining mandatory statutory approvals,  including Fire NOC. The partners of the establishment had allegedly submitted forged and
fabricated documents, including a fake Health NOC and forged Police Clearance Certificate, for obtaining licences and projecting the illegal establishment as legitimate. The investigation further revealed that the partners, in connivance with each other, knowingly continued commercial operations despite the absence and expiry of mandatory
licences.

The trade licence of the establishment had expired on 31.03.2024 and was not renewed; however, the establishment continued to operate thereafter. Investigation under PMLA has further revealed that the establishment generated total revenue of  approximately Rs. 29.78 Crore during the period from FY 2023–24 to FY 2025–26 (till
06.12.2025), which has been identified as Proceeds of Crime under the provisions of  PMLA.

Earlier, during the course of investigation, searches were conducted on 23.01.2026 at various premises linked to the subject entity, resulting in seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices and freezing of bank accounts amounting to approximately Rs. 59 Lakh.

Earlier, a Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) amounting to  approximately Rs. 17.45 Crores had been issued in the said case. With the latest attachment and freezing, the total attachment/freezing in the case now stands at approximately Rs. 29.05 Crore.