The Bombay High Court at Goa has accepted an undertaking by Respondent No. 53A LLP to deposit ₹20 lakh each towards ex-gratia compensation for employees and five tourists affected by the tragic fire incident at a nightclub in Arpora, Goa.
A Division Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit S. Jamsandekar passed the order on November 2, 2026, while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation along with connected petitions.
Background
During the hearing, the advocate representing the victims sought compensation of ₹50 lakh for each victim. However, counsel for Respondent No. 53A opposed the demand and offered an additional ₹20 lakh for each employee, over and above the ₹2 lakh ex-gratia amount already paid.
The undertaking also covered five tourists who were present at the nightclub when the incident occurred, namely late Saroj Joshi, Vinod Kumar, Anita Joshi, Kamala and Md. Ishaq.
Senior Advocate S. S. Kantak, appearing for Respondent No. 53A, submitted:
"On further instructions, Mr. Kantak makes a statement that, in respect of the five persons who were not employees of the said Respondent but were tourists present at the night club on the date of the incident, namely, late Ms. Saroj Joshi, Ms. Vinod Kumar, Ms. Anita Joshi, Ms. Kamala and Ms. Md. Ishaq, an amount of Rs. 20 lakhs each shall also be deposited in this Court."
The victims' legal aid counsel opposed the proposed amount, maintaining that fair compensation should not be less than ₹50 lakh per victim.
The Bench accepted the undertaking and directed Respondent No. 53A to deposit ₹20 lakh for each person in three instalments: ₹5 lakh by November 16, 2026, ₹5 lakh by December 7, 2026, and ₹10 lakh by February 7, 2027.
The Court further clarified:
"It is clarified that, in the event any award or order passed in the proceedings initiated by any of the aforesaid persons directs payment of compensation lesser than the amount directed to be deposited under this order, the ex gratia amount deposited pursuant to this order shall not, under any circumstances, be refunded to Respondent No. 53A."
Amounts deposited for employees and tourists will be adjusted against relevant compensation awards or proceedings, as applicable.
The matter has been directed to be listed next on December 2, 2026.
