Bombay High Court orders Rs 20 lakh relief for each of 25 Goa fire victims' families

The Bombay High Court directed the Luthra brothers to compensate families of 25 Goa nightclub fire victims. The interim relief preserves the families' right to pursue further claims.Image used for representational purposes onlyPanaji,Nov 2, 2026 17:20 ISTThe Bombay High Court has directed nightclub owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra to pay interim ex-gratia compensation of Rs 20 lakh each to the families of 25 people who died in a fire at their establishment last year, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa on the night of December 6, killing 20 employees and five tourists. Around 50 people were injured.The Goa bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar issued the direction on Monday.After the hearing, advocate Prachi Sawant, who represents the victims' families, told PTI that the court had finalised interim compensation of Rs 20 lakh each without affecting any other claims the families may pursue. The Luthra brothers have been allowed to make the payments in instalments. They must pay Rs 5 lakh by November 15, another Rs 5 lakh in December and clear the remaining amount by February next year, Sawant said.She said the compensation would cover the families of all 25 victims, including the five tourists. "The interim payment would not affect the families' right to pursue additional claims. The matter will come up for further hearing on December 2," Sawant added.The Luthra brothers fled to Thailand after the fire and were later brought back to India. They are facing criminal proceedings in connection with the incident.The High Court continues to monitor the case, including matters related to relief and compensation for the victims' families. Its latest order provides interim compensation while allowing the families to pursue further claims.- Ends