Ansals to face trial for tampering with evidence in Uphaar case

The Delhi High Court on Friday said Sushil and Gopal Ansal, the owners of Uphaar theatre, and two others have to face trial for tampering of evidence in the Uphaar cinema fire case.

Justice Siddharth Mridul dismissed the pleas of the Ansal brothers and two other accused, Dharamveer Malhotra and Anoop Singh, against framing of charges by the trial court.

Upholding the trial court's order, Justice Mridul said there is adequate material before the trial court which justifies framing of charges against them.

"Trial court proceeded correctly, in exercise of its powers, to frame charges against the revisionists (accused). The material on record gives rise to strong suspicion that the accused persons had committed the offences for which the charges were framed against them by way of the impugned order," said the court.

At least 59 people died after a fire in the basement of Uphaar cinema hall engulfed the theatre in south Delhi on June 13, 1997 during the screening of the film "Border".

In February, the Supreme Court had sentenced Gopal Ansal to jail for a year in connection with the fire in the cinema hall but spared the 77-year-old Sushil Ansal because of his age.

The apex court had also upheld the fine of Rs 30 crore each imposed on the them and had said the money should be utilised to set up up a trauma centre.

Ansal had approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of its order on the grounds of parity, saying he was 69 years old and would suffer irreparable damage to his health if sent to prison. The court however dismissed the plea and had asked him to surrender before Tihar Jail authorities on March 20.

--IANS

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