CM Rekha hands over Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to family of Goa nightclub fire victims

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday handed over financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of four Delhi residents who lost their lives in a devastating fire at a nightclub in Goa last December.

The assistance, totalling Rs 40 lakh, was given to the family members of Vinod Kumar (42), Anita Joshi (42), Saroj Joshi (41) and Kamla Joshi (44), who died in a fire that broke out on December 6 at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Arpora, Goa. All four belonged to the same family and were residents of Sadatpur Extension in northeast Delhi’s Karawal Nagar Assembly constituency.

The financial aid was handed over at the Delhi Secretariat in the presence of the Cabinet Minister for Art, Culture, Language and Tourism and Karawal Nagar MLA Kapil Mishra. The Chief Minister expressed her condolences to the bereaved family and assured them of continued support from the Delhi government during what she described as an “immensely painful and difficult time.” Officials said the assistance was approved as part of the government’s relief measures for families of Delhi residents who lose their lives in major accidents or disasters. The Chief Minister emphasised that the Government stands with citizens not only in times of governance but also in moments of personal tragedy.

Kapil Mishra said the loss of four members of the same family in the Goa fire was “heartbreaking and deeply distressing.” He said the incident was not just an accident but pointed to serious lapses and negligence.

“Immediately after the tragedy, I met the family and informed them about the Chief Minister’s decision to provide Rs 10 lakh as assistance for each deceased person. Today, the Chief Minister personally met the family and handed over the amount, ensuring that the government’s assurance translated into action,” he said.

According to officials, the fire at the nightclub in Arpora claimed several lives and raised concerns over safety norms and emergency preparedness at commercial establishments. The deaths of four members of one Delhi-based family had drawn particular attention due to the scale of the personal loss involved.