New Delhi, Aug 04: A special bench of the Delhi High Court, which ordered a compensation of about Rs 18 crore to the victims of Upahaar fire tragedy, today clarified that it was not concerned with the release of the cinema hall as the issue was pending before a criminal bench of the court. The clarification came from the bench of Justice S K Mahajan and Justice Mukul Mudgal after senior counsel K T S Tulsi, appearing for the Association of the Victims of Upahaar Tragedy (AVUT), alleged that the proceedings of the special bench were being misconstrued in the criminal bench which is hearing Ansals' plea for release of the cinema hall.
"We are only concerned with extension of time to Uphaar owners - Ansal brothers - to pay their share of compensation," the bench observed.
The court adjourned the hearing on Ansals' plea for permission to sell off Uphaar till August at the request of Ansals' counsel Rajiv Dhawan.
A vacation bench had on June 27 ordered the release of about Rs seven crore deposited by DVB, MCD and Delhi Police for payment of compensation to the victims.
The Uphaar owners - Ansals, who were ordered to shell out 55 per cent of over Rs 17 crore compensation awarded to the victims, are yet to deposit their share.
The Ansals are seeking permission to sell off Uphaar to meet their liability arising out of the April 24 order of the court.

Bureau Report