New Delhi: Family members of Uphaar fire victims on Friday said that they will step up protests in their quest for justice and demanded a new legislation to deal with the "man-made disasters" and better safety in public spaces.
According to the Association of the Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), this is for the first time in 18 years families of the victims are going to hold a protest demanding justice for their relatives.
"Death of 59 people was not accidental death but murders caused by wilful negligence of greedy cinema owners, who were hand in gloves with corrupt civic authorities.
"In these 18 years we have never protested publicly but after August 19, 2015 when the Supreme Court rudely destroyed our faith in the legal system, we feel compelled to protest and ask more people to join hands with us," AVUT convenor Neelam Krishnamoorthy said.
According to AVUT, all the family members and friends of Uphaar victims will gather along with people of Delhi who have been asked to join the protest through social media.
The association will hand over a memorandum to the President's office asking to bring in a new legislation to deal with man-made disasters. Law commission has come out with a consultation paper in 2013 and matter is still pending. The memorandum will given to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
"We cannot bring back our family members, but we want a safe Delhi and India. Authority should have fear to obey safety guidelines so that life of public is not compromised.
"In the memorandum we will ask to set up fast track courts to deal with man-made disasters. We also demand to do away with adjournment culture as this ultimately benefit the accused like in case of Upahaar, Our last demand is to implement videography of the court proceedings," Krishnamoorthy said.
"There are two legal options available with us. First we will apply for a review petition followed by curative petition but we are waiting for detailed judgement copy to come," she said.
Recently, AVUT had demanded Delhi government to reject the Rs 60 crore which the Supreme Court had directed Gopal and Sushil Ansal to deposit with the Delhi government.
Delhi government has assured that it was seeking legal opinion on the matter and would take a considered decision taking into account the sentiments of the victims' families.
