Bombay High Court Holds Goa Government and Club Owners Liable for Fire

The Bombay High Court in Goa has ruled that both the local government and the owners of a nightclub are liable for compensating the victims of the December 2025 fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora. This decision was made during a hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation, which was initiated following the tragic event that resulted in the deaths of approximately 25 individuals and injuries to many others.

Justices Suman Shyam and Amit Jamsandekar stressed that the incident reflected severe violations of the fundamental rights of the workers employed at the nightclub. As a result, the Court determined that it was the duty of both the state and the club owners to provide financial reparation to those affected.

During the proceedings, the court established that the nightclub had been operating without the requisite construction license, town planning permits, and fire safety approvals, categorising the establishment as illegal. The justices expressed their commitment to prioritising compensation for the victims’ families.

The judges emphasised the imperative nature of their findings, stating, "It is a clear case of violation of the fundamental rights of these workers... the owner has liability but the State also has liability." They outlined three key objectives for their assessment: identifying accountability, ensuring victim compensation, and implementing rigorous safeguards to prevent future incidents.

Acknowledging the role of the Workmen’s Compensation Act in this situation, the Court noted that it would be necessary for the state to contribute to the compensation alongside the nightclub's owners. Counsel representing a workers' body informed the Court that an ad hoc compensation of two lakhs had been provided for families of some workers who perished in the fire, and that compensation procedures were underway under the relevant legislation.

Advocate General Devidas Pangam, representing the state, requested additional time to confirm the details of any compensation paid by the government. Furthermore, during an earlier hearing on February 4, members of the Court indicated they might consider attaching the property of the nightclub and the local village sarpanch to guarantee that compensation obligations are fulfilled. They asserted, “A loud and clear message needs to go.”

As of the latest court session, the secretary and the sarpanch of the concerned panchayat are in custody, and the Court has mandated all local village panchayats to submit affidavits detailing the number of licenses and permits they have issued over the past five years. The next session to discuss the public interest litigation is scheduled for February 24, 2026.