ED attaches Rs 11.01 crore properties in Goa nightclub fire case

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Panaji, May 27 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s Panaji Zonal Office has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 11.01 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the illegal operation of the establishment “Birch by Romeo Lane” at Goa’s Arpora, ED officials said on Wednesday.

This latest action brings the total attachment and freezing in the case to around Rs 29.05 crore, central agency officials added.

The ED initiated its investigation based on FIRs registered by the Goa Police at Anjuna and Mapusa police stations against Saurabh Luthra and others, ED officials said.

The cases are related to the devastating fire incident on December 6, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 people and injured several others.

The FIRs also cover serious offences of forgery, including submission of fake and fabricated No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other statutory documents to secure regulatory approvals, ED officials added.

Investigation revealed that the establishment was operated by M/s Being GS Hospitality Goa Arpora LLP without obtaining mandatory statutory approvals, including the crucial Fire NOC.

Partners allegedly submitted forged documents such as a fake Health NOC and a forged Police Clearance Certificate to project the venue as legitimate.

Despite the trade licence expiring on March 31, 2024, the establishment continued commercial operations illegally.

The probe also established that the venue generated total revenue of nearly Rs 29.78 crore between Financial Year 2023-24 and December 6, 2025, which has been identified as proceeds of crime under PMLA, ED officials said.

Earlier searches conducted on January 23, 2026, at various linked premises led to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, and freezing of bank accounts amounting to Rs 59 lakh.

A previous provisional attachment order of Rs 17.45 crore had already been issued in the case.

The tragic fire at the popular nightclub had shaken Goa and triggered widespread outrage over safety violations and regulatory lapses.

The ED’s action focuses on tracing and attaching assets derived from criminal activities.

Authorities are continuing the investigation to identify the full extent of the financial trail and the role of all involved parties.

This development is expected to strengthen the cases against the accused and provide some closure to the families of the victims who lost their loved ones in the horrific incident.

The ED has said that further action will follow as the probe progresses.

–IANS

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K’taka: LPG cylinder delivery man arrested for attempted rape of homemaker

Bengaluru, May 30 (IANS) An LPG cylinder delivery man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a homemaker at Santemarahalli in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar district, an official said on Friday.

According to the police, the incident took place on May 21 and came to light recently after the woman filed a complaint.

The accused has been identified as Mahesh, who was working as a gas cylinder delivery man.

According to police, the incident occurred at around 12.30 p.m. on May 21 when Mahesh knocked on the victim’s door.

When the woman told him that she had not booked a gas cylinder, he allegedly said he would deliver it without a booking, and she could accept it if she had an empty cylinder at home.

The victim took delivery of the LPG cylinder and paid the charges. Subsequently, the accused claimed that he needed to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure, which required a photograph of the woman with the cylinder to be uploaded to an online process of the company.

The woman eventually allowed him to click the photos. He further stated that “as per a government rule, he needed to verify if the kitchen in the house had proper ventilation and lighting”.

The unsuspecting woman allowed him to enter her house to conduct the check.

Once inside, the accused allegedly pushed the woman and threatened her with a knife, saying he would kill her if she raised an alarm. He then attempted to rape her. When she resisted, he assaulted her, hitting her in the face and dragging her, police said.

The woman told police that the accused slashed her chest and face with a knife before fleeing. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at the Santemarahalli police station.

The accused was eventually traced and arrested.

Further investigation is underway, and more details are expected to emerge.

The incident, however, has become a rude shock and a serious matter of concern as most women — housewives in particular — are generally unaccompanied by any male members in the house while the cylinders are delivered in daytime.

–IANS

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Madhya Pradesh: 21 cases against 22 fraudsters filed in police constable recruitment exam case

Bhopal, June 7 (IANS) Police have registered 21 cases against 22 fraudsters in Madhya Pradesh police constable recruitment drive. The police have uncovered a major irregularity in the recruitment process, leading to the legal action.

All the 22 candidates have allegedly submitted fraudulent certificates. Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, Anshuman Singh told a press conference held at the Police Headquarters in Bhopal explained the extent of the deception.

“The action has been taken following instructions issued by the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav,” the police officer said.

The recruitment drive, conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Staff Selection Commission in 2023, aimed to fill vacancies in the Police Reserve GD and Radio divisions.

A staggering 6,52,057 candidates participated in the written examination, with 55,220 advancing to the physical fitness test held between October 16 and November 20.

Ultimately, 6,423 candidates were selected, comprising 5,090 men and 1,333 women, the senior police officer informed.

Concerns arose during the second phase of the selection process in November 2024 when five candidates attempted to substitute others in their place at the Morena examination centre, he said.

Their suspicious behaviour led to immediate action, preventing them from appearing for the test and resulting in legal proceedings.

Following this incident, the Police Headquarters in Bhopal issued directives on April 21, 2025, mandating a thorough re-verification of all successful candidates.

This included biometric and Aadhaar history checks from their designated units before final appointments were made.

Investigations revealed a disturbing pattern in several districts, where candidates had altered their Aadhaar biometric data both before and after the written examination.

Forensic analysis of signatures, handwriting, and fingerprints confirmed discrepancies, prompting authorities to register cases across multiple locations.

So far, seven cases have been filed in Morena, six in Shivpuri, two in Sheopur, and one each in Indore, Datia, Gwalior, Alirajpur, Rajgarh, and Shahdol, the officer said.

Further scrutiny exposed the involvement of Aadhaar card vendors who manipulated records for financial gain, facilitating fraudulent modifications without proper verification.

This exploitation of the system enabled candidates to bypass security measures and attempt to secure positions unlawfully.

Under the directive of the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh, the Selection Branch and other investigative units continue to monitor developments closely, the officer said, adding, efforts are underway to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of the recruitment process, reinforcing the state’s commitment to transparency and fairness in law enforcement appointments.

–IANS

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CM Majhi assures setting up mechanism to materialise MoUs signed at Utkarsh Odisha conclave

Bhubaneswar, Jan 29 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday assured the investors that the state government will set up a mechanism to work round the clock for grounding the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed with the industries and the investment intents received during the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 into reality.

A total of 145 investment-related MoUs worth ₹12.89 Lakh Crore of investment were signed during the two-day conclave. These investments are expected to generate over 8.94 Lakh job opportunities in various sectors such as chemicals & petrochemicals, textiles, mining and metallurgy, renewable energy, IT/ITeS, tourism, and food processing.

Apart from the MoUs signed, 448 investment intention forms with an investment value of Rs 3.84 Lakh Crore were received with an employment potential of 3.92 Lakh jobs.

The state received a total of 593 projects with an investment of Rs 16.73 Lakh Crore and employment potential of 12.88 Lakh across over 20 sectors.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day conclave, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said: “I am aware that ‘cost and time over-runs’ are the two biggest turn-offs for the industry. We will take care of this and ensure that there is no inordinate delay in executing the projects on the ground. I can assure you that my office is very accessible to you. It will facilitate everything you need. In any case, I am just a phone call away. You can rest assured of that.”

The Chief Minister noted that this Utkarsh Odisha conclave has solidified Odisha’s position as a global investment destination.

He informed that delegates from over 16 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia, have participated in this mega conclave.

He also said that Odisha desires to be the gateway to the South-Eastern countries and urged all to make Odisha their business hub for exports.

He added during his speech that through this platform he came to know about the enthusiasm, and great interest among the investors to do business in the state.

The Chief Minister further added that he at the same time also came to know about the concerns that some of the investors and industry leaders have raised during the conclave.

He assured that the government will surely look into every suggestion and take remedial steps to further improve the business ecosystem and the ‘ease of doing business’ in Odisha.

Saying that the success of this conclave reflects his government’s commitment to building an investor-friendly ecosystem, Majhi emphasised that Odisha’s Industrial Policy Resolution, single-window clearance system, and focus on ‘ease, speed and cost of doing business’ ensure that industries can thrive in our state.

“Together, let us make Odisha a land of boundless opportunities. Let us build a Samrudh Odisha that resonates with the aspirations of every Odia and contributes to Viksit Bharat 2047. This is the time, this is the right time,” stated CM Majhi.

–IANS

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