New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought
the Centre`s stand on a plea for grant of sanction to
prosecute former IPS officer Amod Kanth in the 1997 Uphaar
theatre blaze case.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw issued notice to the Ministry
of Home Affairs and sought its response by November 24.
The court issued notice on the plea by Association of
Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), saying the Centre had
declined their plea for granting sanction to prosecute Kanth
for allegedly allowing an extra row of seats in Uphaar theatre
which blocked the exit.
A total of 59 people, mostly from the upper-floor
balcony class, had died in the blaze while over 100 others
were injured during the maiden show of blockbuster film
`Border` on June 13, 1997.
AVUT told the high court that it had approached the Home
Ministry to seek sanction for Kanth`s prosecution after the
trial court had summoned him seeking his stand on its plea for
his prosecution.
It said the Home Ministry had responded to its plea on
June 23 this year and said, "The matter has been duly
examined by the ministry. As the matter is sub-judice, it is
not possible to intervene at this stage."
It had moved the high court challenging the ministry`s
denial of its permission to prosecute Kanth.
Meanwhile, the trial court is slated to have the next
hearing on the victim association`s petition for Kanth`s
prosecution on Monday.
PTI
