Rs 15 lakh compensation offered in Birch fire, victims' families asked to respond

The Bombay High Court at Goa on Wednesday asked the families of the 25 victims of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire to respond to an offer by owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra to pay Rs 15 lakh each as compensation. The court recorded the statement made on behalf of the Luthra brothers and adjourned the hearing to October 12 for the victims’ families to state their position on the proposed compensation.The offer was made in proceedings arising from the December 6, 2025, fire at the nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, in which 25 people were killed and more than 50 others were injured.The incident has led to a criminal investigation into alleged violations of licencing and fire-safety requirements at the premises.During Wednesday’s hearing, the High Court recorded the statement of Saurav and Gaurav Luthra that they were willing to pay ex-gratia compensation of Rs 15 lakh to each of the 25 victims. The court has now sought responses from the affected families before deciding how the matter should proceed.CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST OWNERSThe compensation offer comes against the backdrop of ongoing criminal proceedings against the nightclub’s owners and other accused. The Luthra brothers, along with their business partner Ajay Gupta, had earlier faced legal proceedings over allegations connected with the operation of the nightclub and the circumstances surrounding the fatal blaze.The Supreme Court had recently declined to interfere with the Bombay High Court’s decision cancelling the bail granted to the three accused.It directed them to surrender within two weeks and asked the trial court to expedite proceedings, including the framing of charges.The trio subsequently surrendered before the Mapusa Additional District and Sessions Court.The chargesheet in the case has invoked provisions relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, acts endangering human life, negligent conduct involving fire and combustible matter, forgery, use of forged documents as genuine and criminal conspiracy.Investigators have alleged that the nightclub was operating without the requisite permissions and adequate safety measures.The case has also seen action against officials allegedly linked to the continued operation of the nightclub despite violations.Goa Police have issued a Look-Out Circular against Nagova Arpora Panchayat Sarpanch Roshan Redkar, who police allege helped the Luthra brothers operate the establishment despite regulatory violations.With the High Court seeking the victims’ families’ responses, the compensation proposal will come up for consideration again on October 12. Their views on the Rs 15-lakh offer are expected to be placed before the court as the broader criminal proceedings continue.- EndsInputs by Ritesh Desai