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This is an archive article published on August 20, 2015

Uphaar fire tragedy: From the fire to the fine

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed real estate barons Sushil and Gopal Ansal to walk free in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case, but they will have to deposit a fine of Rs 30 crore each within three months.

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Uphaar fire tragedy, Uphaar fire, Uphaar cinema fire, uphaar, delhi fire, ansal brothers, sushil ansal, gopal ansal Fifty-nine people were killed in the Uphaar cinema fire in 1997. (Source: Express photo)

June 13, 1997
59 die of asphyxia
100+ suffer injuries in stampede
after fire breaks out in Uphaar cinema during screening of Border

1997: Probe and arrest
July 22: Uphaar owner Sushil Ansal and his son Pranav are arrested in Mumbai
July 24: CBI takes over
November 15: Chargesheet against 16 accused including theatre owners Gopal and Sushil Ansal

Also read: Uphaar fire: Ansal brothers walk free, Supreme Court rules Rs 60-cr fine adequate

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1999-2007: Trial
March 1999: Prosecution begins
February 2001: Court frames charges under IPC sections for culpable homicide, causing death by negligence and violation of Cinematograph Act
August 2006: Additional sessions judge Mamta Sehgal inspects Uphaar theatre

2007-2008: Conviction and after
November 20, 2007: Court convicts 12 accused; Ansals sentenced to two years in jail, taken into custody
January 4, 2008: Delhi High Court grants bail to Ansal brothers
September 11: Supreme Court cancels bail; Ansals sent to Tihar Jail

Also read: A basement with charred cars, a hall without light for 18 years

2008-15: Quantum of sentence
December 2008: Delhi High Court reduces Ansals’ sentence from two years to one
2009: Supreme Court issues notice on petition filed by AVUT, a platform of victims’ families, for enhancement of sentence and alteration of charges. CBI too files appeal seeking enhancement
April 17, 2013: Supreme Court reserves order on appeals of Ansals, CBI and AVUT
March 5, 2014: Judges differ on sentence. One judge awards one year, another sentences Ansals to term already undergone. Matter referred to three-judge bench
August 11, 2015: Hearing begins on quantum of sentence
August 19: Supreme Court allows Ansals to walk free after paying a fine of Rs 30 crore each

 

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