The Bombay High Court on Monday directed Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, to deposit ₹20 lakh each as interim compensation for families of the 25 people killed in a fire at the establishment in December 2025.
A division bench comprising Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar issued the direction while hearing a petition concerning relief for victims of the blaze in Arpora, North Goa. The court clarified that the proposed deposit would be without prejudice to the owners’ position in the main case, where the broader legal issues remain pending.
Court Seeks Interim Compensation for Victims’ Families
Advocate Prachi Sawant, representing the victims’ families, told the court that the families had sought compensation of ₹50 lakh each, compared with the ₹25 lakh offered by the nightclub owners.
After hearing the submissions, the bench suggested that the owners deposit ₹20 lakh each as interim compensation. The judges indicated that the immediate relief arrangement would not determine the outcome of the main proceedings.
“Deposit the amount in the court. Their fight continues in the main matter,” the bench observed, asking the parties to discuss the proposal and work out the arrangement before the next hearing.
Sawant also informed the court that the families of four tourists who died in the fire had filed a case before a consumer court in Haryana. She added that responses had not yet been received from all the victims’ families regarding the proposed compensation.
Court Sets October 21 Deadline
The High Court asked the amicus curiae appointed in the matter to prepare a detailed list of cases pending in connection with the nightclub fire.
It also directed the parties to discuss the proposed interim compensation and report the outcome by October 21, when the matter is scheduled to be heard again.
The interim direction addresses immediate financial relief for the affected families while leaving the wider legal proceedings unresolved. The proposed deposit is separate from the final determination of compensation and other issues in the main case.
Goa Nightclub Fire Killed 25, Injured 50
The fire broke out on December 6, 2025, during a dance party at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa. The incident killed 25 people and injured 50 others.
According to the report, nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Thailand after the incident. They were deported to India on December 17 and are currently lodged in Colvale Central Jail in North Goa.
The tragedy triggered legal proceedings concerning accountability and compensation for those affected.
The High Court’s latest direction seeks to advance discussions on interim financial relief for the victims’ families. The parties are expected to update the court on October 21, while the principal legal dispute continues.
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