New Delhi, May 30: The Delhi High Court today issued notices to Uphaar cinema owners Ansal brothers - Sushil and Gopal and a Delhi fire service official H S Panwar and the CBI on a petition filed by the Association of the Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) seeking cancellation of bail granted to the Ansals and Panwar for allegedly tampering with the evidence. Justice R C Chopra, who issued the notices, asked the respondents to file their replies by July 28.

As many as nine important documents were missing from the trial court files and AVUT had, on February 14, approached the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Mamta Sehgal for cancellation of the Ansals' bail alleging their role in it.

However, AVUT's plea was rejected by the ASJ who observed: "I find that the case is at the fag end and it would not be appropriate to cancel the bail granted to the above mentioned three accused persons".

Ansal brothers and Panwar are facing trial along with other in connection with the June 13, 1997 fire tragedy in Uphaar cinema in south Delhi during the screening of the Hindi blockbuster 'Border'.

Bureau Report