The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out search operations at eight sites in Delhi and Goa connected to the Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, subsequent to their arrest in relation to the nightclub fire on December 6 that claimed 25 lives. The raids are focused on financial irregularities and suspected money laundering associated with the nightclub’s management. Teams are currently analyzing digital evidence and financial records to trace illicit funds.
Five locations in Delhi and three in Goa, including the Luthra brothers’ residences, were targeted by the federal probe agency. This move follows the arrest of the brothers, who came under scrutiny following the tragic fire incident that exposed deficiencies at their establishment in Goa. The nightclub fire on December 6, one of the deadliest in recent Goan history, resulted in 25 deaths and over 50 injuries.
Saurabh and Gaurav were extradited from Thailand on December 17, 11 days after the nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in a Goan village. Initially facing charges of culpable homicide and negligence by local authorities, the ED stepped in upon uncovering signs of significant financial mismanagement and suspicious transactions related to the club’s operations.
The focus of the investigation is on tracing the source of investment for the nightclub and other properties owned by the Luthra brothers. The ED’s search operation on Friday aims to gather additional evidence regarding previously reported financial crimes involving the brothers. Allegedly, funds were channeled through multiple shell companies by the brothers to manage their hospitality ventures.
Officials are scrutinizing bank statements and property documents seized during the morning raids. The ED may request further custodial interrogation of the Luthra brothers to address inconsistencies found in the seized documents. As authorities delve into the financial history of the Luthra business empire and its connection to the tragic fire incident, the investigation remains ongoing.
