Threat letter sees HC put foot down

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 17: The Delhi High Court today took strong exception to a letter written by those it referred to as the influential a...

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 17: The Delhi High Court today took strong exception to a letter written by those it referred to as the “influential accused” . The letter threatens a complaint will go to the Chief Justice of India if the Uphaar fire traedy petition pending before the court is not transferred to another trial court. The tragedy had claimed 59 lives and injured 104 when fire broke out at Uphaar cinema on June 13, 1997.

“If the accused can write letters to us,” said a division bench comprising Justices Usha Mehra and K. Rammoorthy, “then one can imagine what influence they have been weilding.”

The letter asks the court to transfer a petition before them within two weeks, Justice Mehra said. She sought an explanation from the counsel for Sushil Ansal, proprietor of Uphaar Theatre and one of the accused, about the purpose of writing such a letter. Ansal is presently the chairman of PHD Chambers of Commerce.

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As Ansal’s lawyer, R.K. Naseemm, expressed ignorance about the matter, Justice Mehra said: “This court cannot be cowed down. They may have achieved something by arguing in the court, but nothing can be achieved in my court by such a threatening letter even if they appraoach the Chief Justice of India. The case will not be transferred and we will continue to monitor the case.”

The bench, however, did not elaborate on who had written the letter. “I am constrained to see against whom I should take contempt of court action,” Justice Mehra said.

The counsel for Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), K.T.S. Tulsi, said the petitioners have been getting threats from the Ansals. He pointed out that even after three-and-a-half years, charges were yet to be framed. “85 hearings have already taken place for the framing of charges and 15 persons have already been examined. At this rate, the trail will go on for another 20 years,” he added.

Sushil Ansal, his brother Gopal Ansal, the four managers of the Uphaar cinema and several present and former officials of Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Vidyut Board, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi have been chargesheeted by the prosecution.

The court adjourned the hearing till February 22.