Goa Nightclub Fire: ED Flags Rs 22 Crore 'Proceeds of Crime' from Unlicensed Operations

• The ED suspects Rs 22 crore revenue generated by the Goa nightclub, 'Birch by Romeo Lane', over two fiscals are "proceeds of crime" due to alleged unlicensed operations.
• The nightclub, where 25 died in a December 2025 fire, allegedly operated without statutory licenses and with forged documents.
• Raids in Goa, Delhi, and Haryana on January 23 targeted promoters Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, uncovering serious compliance irregularities.
• Funds from illegal operations were reportedly diverted to personal accounts and other group entities; some bank accounts have been frozen under PMLA.
• Goa police arrested eight, including the Luthra brothers, who were deported from Thailand; ED is also investigating a corruption angle and foreign remittances.

Why It Matters: ED uncovers Rs 22 crore 'proceeds of crime' from unlicensed Goa nightclub, freezing accounts and probing corruption.