The Bombay High Court at Goa has asked families of the 25 victims of the December 2025 Birch by Romeo Lane fire to respond to a Rs 15 lakh per victim compensation offer from the management. The accused promoters, whose bail was rejected by the Supreme Court, are currently facing trial for severe safety violations. This case highlights the critical legal and regulatory risks facing the hospitality sector when safety protocols are ignored.
The Bombay High Court at Goa has formally initiated a process to determine the response of victims' families regarding a financial compensation offer related to the tragic December 2025 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub. The establishment's managers, Saurav and Gaurav Luthra, have proposed an payment of Rs 15 lakh per victim as the legal proceedings continue. The court has recorded this proposal and set the next hearing for October 12, giving the families time to consider the terms.
This compensation move follows significant legal challenges for the nightclub's management. The accused, including the Luthra brothers and their partner Ajay Gupta, are currently facing trial after surrendering to the Mapusa Additional District and Sessions Court. Their attempt to secure bail failed after the Supreme Court of India declined to intervene in the Bombay High Court's earlier decision to cancel it.
The prosecutors have presented a detailed chargesheet against the management, which includes serious allegations such as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and the use of forged documents to bypass mandatory safety regulations. These charges highlight the gravity of the legal scrutiny surrounding the incident, which resulted in 25 deaths and left over 50 others injured.
Beyond the primary defendants, the investigation has expanded to examine how the nightclub continued to operate despite clear and dangerous fire safety violations. Law enforcement agencies are looking into the role of officials who may have allowed the venue to function despite failing to meet essential safety standards. For the broader hospitality and entertainment industry, this case underscores the critical importance of strict regulatory compliance and the severe legal, financial, and reputational risks associated with negligence. The upcoming hearing will focus on the court's view of the proposed settlement and its alignment with the ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims.