Goa nightclub owners offer ₹15 lakh ex gratia to kin of people killed in fire; HC seeks reply
The Bombay High Court is overseeing a compensation offer from the owners of a Goa nightclub where a fire killed 25 people last year. The court has asked the victims' families to respond to the proposed ex gratia payment of ₹15 lakh each.
Why it matters
This case highlights the legal complexities of corporate liability and victim compensation following major safety-related tragedies.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) asked the families of the 25 people who were killed in a devastating fire at a Goa nightclub in December to respond to an offer by its owners to pay ₹15 lakh each as ex gratia compensation.
A division bench of the HC in Goa recorded the statement made on behalf of Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, brothers and owners of the fire-hit nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, that they were willing to pay ₹15 lakh to each of the 25 victims' families.
The bench comprising Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar directed that the victims' families be asked whether they were willing to accept the proposed compensation.
The court adjourned the matter to October 12 to enable the affected families to state their position on the proposed compensation.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in