SC upholds conviction of Ansal brothers in Uphaar cinema tragedy

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: In a major ruling, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of Ansal brothers - Sushil and Gopal - in connection with 1997 Uphaar cinema hall fire tragedy. The two-judge bench, which passed the order, said, “A contemptuous disregard to law by the owners of Uphaar cinema hall led to loss of lives.” The bench, however, differed on quantum of punishment for Ansals and refereed the matter to a three-judge bench. The bench, while passing the order also condemned the Uphaar owners and said, “Ansals were more concerned about making money than ensuring safety of cinema goers. Today`s ruling is a big setback for Sushil and Gopal Ansal as they had sought an acquittal from the Supreme Court. The High Court had earlier reduced their sentence from two years to one year whereas the CBI and victims of the fire tragedy have demanded that the Ansals be convicted under more stringent sections. A total of 59 people had died when a fire gutted the Uphaar theatre on June 13, 1997.