Key Highlights:
- 22-year-old Diganta Patir from Assam’s Dhemaji district died in the Goa nightclub fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, working as a cook when tragedy struck
- Three Assamese workers perished in the December 8, 2025 fire that killed 25 people, with families now struggling to afford body repatriation costs of Rs 40,000-50,000
- Assam’s Shraddhanjali scheme offers government-funded repatriation for migrant workers, though families await official confirmation of assistance
Opening Overview
The Goa nightclub fire tragedy has left three families from Assam desperately seeking government assistance to bring their loved ones home. Diganta Patir, a 22-year-old cook at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa, became one of 25 victims when fire engulfed the establishment during a musical performance on the intervening night of December 7-8, 2025. The Goa nightclub fire exposed critical safety violations while simultaneously highlighting the vulnerable position of migrant workers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who travel across India seeking employment opportunities. Diganta’s grandfather, Thaneswar Patir, made an emotional appeal to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating his family lacked resources to transport the body from Goa to their village in Dhemaji district.
The Goa nightclub fire incident has raised urgent questions about workplace safety standards, government support systems for migrant workers, and the financial burden families face during such tragedies.
Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives in the Arpora fire incident in Goa, where three of our own, lost their precious lives.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 7, 2025
Shri Rahul Tanti, Cachar
Shri Manojit Mal, Cachar
Shri Diganta Patir, Dhemaji
Offering my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.…
Victims and Their Stories
Three Assamese lives lost in the inferno
- Diganta Patir (22 years) from Dhemaji worked as a cook and had moved to Goa in 2024 seeking better opportunities
- Rahul Tanti from Cachar district was on his first day of employment at the club when the fire broke out
- Manojit Mal from Cachar served as club staff and died from smoke inhalation during the incident
The Goa nightclub fire claimed predominantly staff members rather than patrons, with 20 of the 25 victims being employees of Birch by Romeo Lane. Diganta Patir’s family learned of his death around 5-6 am on December 8, receiving the devastating news through phone calls from Goa. His mother and younger brother reside in their ancestral village in Assam’s Dhemaji, while another brother works in Kerala to support the family financially. The Goa nightclub fire tragedy struck particularly hard for Rahul Tanti’s family, as he had just begun his employment journey at the establishment hours before flames consumed the structure.
Most victims of the Goa nightclub fire died from smoke inhalation and suffocation rather than burn injuries, as they became trapped in the kitchen area and ground floor while attempting escape. The narrow exit passages and absence of proper fire safety equipment transformed what should have been a routine work shift into a death trap for these migrant workers.
Financial Burden and Government Schemes
Repatriation costs create insurmountable challenges
- Body transportation from Goa to Assam costs Rs 40,000-50,000 per person
- Diganta Patir’s family struggles financially with his mother and aunt living in the village
- Assam’s Shraddhanjali scheme specifically targets students and workers from humble backgrounds
The Goa nightclub fire has exposed the harsh economic realities facing families of migrant workers who die far from home. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Shraddhanjali scheme in October 2025 to address exactly such situations, providing government-funded repatriation for deceased residents. Under this program, the Assam government covers the full cost of bringing bodies back to the state when families cannot afford the Rs 40,000-50,000 expense. The Goa nightclub fire victims’ families can access the Shraddhanjali scheme through multiple channels including WhatsApp (918104888), phone (0361-2381511), emergency number 112, or the Sewa Setu Portal.
Applicants must provide the deceased person’s location, time of death, address, and valid identification proving both Indian citizenship and Assam residency. The Goa nightclub fire case may also qualify for additional legal assistance since the deaths occurred under unnatural circumstances involving potential criminal negligence. Chief Minister Sarma expressed deep anguish over the Goa nightclub fire tragedy, posting condolences on social media and specifically naming all three Assamese victims.
Safety Violations and Legal Actions
Multiple regulatory failures enabled the disaster
- Birch by Romeo Lane operated without mandatory fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Club management used fireworks during performances in a venue with highly flammable bamboo and grass decorations
- Four arrests made including chief general manager, general manager, bar manager, and gate manager
The Goa nightclub fire investigation revealed systematic violations of fire safety regulations that directly contributed to the death toll. Nitin V. Raiker, Director of Fire and Emergency Services for Goa, confirmed that no NOC had been issued to Birch by Romeo Lane and fire safety norms were not followed. Eyewitnesses reported that during a belly dancing performance around 11:30 pm, club management set off firecrackers that ignited bamboo, fiber, and grass decorative materials on the ceiling. The Goa nightclub fire spread rapidly because the venue resembled a “tinderbox,” with highly combustible materials used throughout the interior design.
Narrow lanes surrounding the establishment prevented fire engines from reaching the site, forcing water tankers to be stationed nearly 400 meters away and hampering rescue efforts. Police registered an FIR for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence, and acts endangering safety against owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, who remain absconding. The Goa nightclub fire prompted authorities to inspect other Romeo Lane properties, discovering similar fire safety violations and ordering temporary closures.
Regulatory Framework and Compliance Gaps
| Safety Requirement | Regulatory Standard | Birch by Romeo Lane Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fire NOC Validity | 5 years (renewed November 2025) | No NOC issued |
| Fire Safety Equipment | Pumps, risers, sprinklers, extinguishers per floo | Equipment not provided |
| Building Authorization | Required before construction | No authorization, demolition notice issued |
| Annual Self-Declaration | Mandatory for NOC holders | Not applicable due to missing NOC |
The Goa nightclub fire exposed fundamental gaps between regulatory frameworks and actual enforcement mechanisms in India’s hospitality sector. India’s National Building Code provides comprehensive fire safety guidelines, but these remain recommendatory rather than legally binding, with actual certification authority resting with state governments and local civic bodies. The Goa government’s Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services recently extended fire NOC validity from one year to five years for both low and high-risk buildings, though this change requires annual self-declarations confirming functional safety systems.
The Goa nightclub fire occurred at a venue that should have undergone rigorous inspection before receiving operational permits, yet it functioned without basic fire safety clearances. Licensed agencies approved by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services must conduct fire safety audits and install protection systems, but the Goa nightclub fire suggests enforcement mechanisms failed catastrophically. Building owners who operate without proper NOCs face potential license revocation and criminal prosecution, penalties now being applied to the Birch by Romeo Lane management.
Final Perspective
The Goa nightclub fire tragedy underscores systemic failures affecting India’s most vulnerable workers and their families. Beyond the immediate grief, families like Diganta Patir’s confront bureaucratic processes and financial barriers that compound their suffering during the repatriation process. The Goa nightclub fire has catalyzed calls for stricter enforcement of existing fire safety regulations, particularly in entertainment venues where flammable decorations and pyrotechnics create heightened risks. Assam’s Shraddhanjali scheme represents a progressive policy response, though the Goa nightclub fire reveals gaps in interstate coordination for rapid emergency assistance.
The Goa nightclub fire investigation continues as authorities seek absconding owners and examine whether official complicity enabled the venue’s illegal operation. For the three Assamese families awaiting their loved ones’ return, the Goa nightclub fire transformed routine employment into permanent tragedy, highlighting the precarious existence of migrant workers across India.
