Uphaar fire tragedy case: Gopal Ansal moves HC

The Court posted the matter for further hearing on January 2, the day, a regular Bench is expected to take up a similar petition of his brother Sushil Ansal.

His younger brother Sushil, also sentenced to two years imprisonment, had already challenged the trial court8217;s order.

The Court had on December 11 issued notices to the CBI and Association of Victims of the Uphaar Tragedy AVUT on Sushil8217;s petition.

A court here had on November 23 sentenced Sushil Ansal along with his brother Gopal 8212; the owners of Uphaar cinema hall 8212; to two-year jail term for causing death by their negligent act. The Ansal brothers, however, have been granted bail in the case.

Seven others 8212; Radha Krishan Sharma, N S Chopra, Ajit Chowdhary Uphaar managers, Manmohan Unniyal cinema8217;s gatekeeper, Brij Mohan Satija, A K Gera and Bir Singh all DVB officials 8212; held guilty for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, were awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment.

The other three, convicted for offences similar to that of Ansal brothers, were also given two years8217; jail term each but were granted bail.

As many as 59 people had died due to asphyxia while over 100 others were injured in a subsequent stampede following a devastating blaze at Uphaar Cinema on June 13, 1997.