The Enforcement Directorate has unleashed a multi-state crackdown on the promoters behind Goa’s ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, site of a catastrophic blaze that killed 25 revelers last December. Raids kicked off early Friday at properties owned by Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra, and Ajay Gupta in Delhi, Gurugram, and Goa, marking a pivotal shift in the investigation.
What began as a probe into safety lapses following the December 6, 2023, fire—sparked during a dance event—has now zeroed in on money laundering. Authorities allege the club operated illegally on khazan land, with forged documents enabling its construction and operations. ED teams fanned out to 8-9 sites, from Delhi’s Outram Lane to Gurugram’s Tatvam Villa and Goan hotspots.
Spotlight also fell on local officials: former Arpora sarpanch Roshan Redkar and secretary Raghuvir Bagkar face searches over their role in granting illicit NOCs and trade licenses. Surinder Kumar Khosla’s addresses were raided too, as investigators trace the money trail from land misuse to laundered profits.
Goa’s vibrant party scene has long masked regulatory blind spots, but this fire laid bare the perils. With prior police cases against the Luthras and others, ED’s PMLA invocation aims to dismantle the financial architecture propping up such ventures. Families of the victims await justice, and these raids could be the catalyst for sweeping reforms in nightlife licensing. Developments are unfolding rapidly.