New Delhi, Dec 02: The Delhi High Court today "dismissed as withdrawn" Ansals' plea for permission to dispose of Uphaar cinema building to pay compensation of Rs 12 crore to the 1997 fire tragedy victims. A special bench of Justice S K Mahajan and Justice Mukul Mudgal "dismissed" the Ansals' petition after their counsel Rajiv Dhawan sought to withdraw it on the ground that a criminal bench of the court has declined to release the cinema hall till the expiry of two months after completion of defence evidence and the order has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
The Ansals claimed that they wanted to sell the cinema hall "as soon as the same is released by the criminal court" to meet their liability arising out of the April 24 order of the special bench asking them to pay a compensation of about Rs 12 crore to the victims within two months.
However, the court gave them liberty to approach appropriate fora for the release of the cinema hall as and when they feel it necessary.
After Uphaar victims' association's counsel K T S Tulsi pointed out that it could be used to stall execution of the April 24 order, the bench clarified that today's order would not come in the way of execution in any manner whatsoever. Ansals have also challenged the April 24 order in apex court.
Fifty nine persons had died and several other injured after fire engulfed the Uphaar cinema during the screening of Hindi blockbuster ‘Border’ on June 13, 1997.
Bureau Report