SC upholds conviction of Ansal brothers

Upholding the conviction of Ansal brothers -- Sushil and Gopal -- in the Uphaar fire tragedy case, the Supreme Court Wednesday referred to a three-judge bench the question of quantum of sentence to be imposed on them.

The apex court bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice Gyan Sudha Misra referred the matter of quantum of sentence to a three-judge bench as both of them differed on the question of sentencing.

Justice Thakur upholding Delhi High Court verdict said that both Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal would undergo a sentence of one year each as awarded by the high court.

The trial court had awarded the Ansal brothers two years' imprisonment but it was reduced to one year by the high court in 2008.

Justice Misra, holding that the Ansals should undergo a sentence of two years, substituted the second year sentence with a fine of Rs.100 crore divided equally between the two brothers.

She also directed that, in view of his advanced age, Sushil Ansal's period of sentence will be one that he has already undergone.