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Journalism of Courage
Uphaar Cinema Fire Case: Justice Amit Mahajan of the Delhi High Court recently recused from hearing the evidence tampering case connected to 1997 Uphaar cinema fire tragedy.
Justice Mahajan in an order passed on October 30 observed that the complainant in the case had raised apprehension that since the judge “at some stage as a counsel had represented M/s. Ansal Housing and Construction Ltd., whose promoter happens to be related to the accused persons in the present matter, she may not get a fair hearing”.
The court, therefore, said, “Even though the objection raised is meritless and does not have any basis, in order to alley any fear that the complainant may have, in the interest of justice, subject to orders of Hon’ble the Judge In-Charge (Single Benches – Criminal Jurisdiction), list these matters before another Bench on 06.11.2025.”
The order also noted that while the complainant sought the bench to be changed, the senior lawyers representing the petitioners raised “serious objections” against her apprehensions and said that the matter had already been addressed on October 29.
The court was hearing the plea seeking revision of a sessions court order for enhancement of sentence against Sushil Ansal and his brother Gopal Ansal apart from others convicted on the charges including tampering with evidence and criminal conspiracy.
The magistrate court, in November 2021, awarded seven-year jail terms to the Ansals, besides imposing a fine of Rs 2.25 crore on each in the case.
The sessions court on July 19, 2022, upheld the conviction order of the Ansal brothers and two others. It, however, reduced the jail term to the sentence already undergone – amounting to a little over eight months – and directed the accused be released forthwith.
On June 13, 1997, a massive fire broke out at Uphaar Cinema in Delhi’s Green Park. A total of 59 people died of asphyxiation, while 103 were seriously injured in an ensuing stampede to escape.
