Uphaar tragedy: Ansal brothers escape jail. Fire on Twitter
In a major relief to the Ansal brothers, convicts in Uphaar fire tragedy in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed them to walk free with a fine of Rs 60 crore. Awarding the jail term for a period already undergone by the industrialists, the three-judge bench of Justices AR Dave, Kurian Joseph and Adarsh Kumar Goel asked them to pay the total fine of Rs 60 crore in three months and deposit it with the Delhi government, which in turn will spend the money on welfare schemes.
While Sushil Ansal has spent over five months in prison, Gopal has spent jail time of over four months. The bench rejected the submissions of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for CBI, that the convicts be sent to jail to serve the remaining jail term. "My instruction from CBI is to press for their custody," Salve said, when the court sought his views.
Senior advocate KTS Tulsi, who represented the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), also said that the convicts not only be jailed, but rather their punishment should be enhanced. Fifty-nine people, trapped in the balcony of the theatre, died of asphyxia following the fire and over 100 were injured in the subsequent stampede on June 13, 1997 during the screening of Bollywood film "Border". Read more here.
Twitter reactions
Confused by order in #Uphaar case. Is Supreme Court setting a principles of Blood Money for the rich instead of jail? http://t.co/6vzkPxJOv4
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 19, 2015Verdict has no meaning for me, only the rich get justice, says Neelam, who lost her children in Uphaar tragedy http://t.co/b7ltCSrSel
— bonhomy (@bonhomy) August 19, 201559 dead,18 years in court, no need for jail #Uphaar .SC verdict is final but today my thoughts are with a brave mother who battled alone !
— sonia singh (@soniandtv) August 19, 2015After 2 decade fight by @Neelamshekhar Ansals escape jail term but ordered to pay 30 crores for negligence in #uphaar case
— sunetra choudhury (@sunetrac) August 19, 201560 crores will not bring the 59 souls back. Money can't get you everything. #Uphaar
— Akshay Gaurav (@akshaygaurav7) August 19, 2015#Uphaar A court battle for almost 2 decades, close to 60 people dead & SC verdict says no jail for ANSALS. Just pay the fine.is that fair ?
— Rolee Kachru (@Rolee_Kachru) August 19, 2015After fighting for justice for 18 painful years #Uphaar verdict is justice delayed, justice denied.
— PoonamSharma (@poonams_7) August 19, 2015Uphaar judgement is rather sad...60 pple died a horrific death....& only 60crs as fine .no jail term..Salman must be thrilled..!!
— whimsy (@Neera_26) August 19, 2015Bizarre how long this has taken "Uphaar fire: Ansal brothers to pay Rs 60cr fine, no jail term http://t.co/d3jHcGgJ6i
— mala bhargava (@malabhargava) August 19, 2015It is a sad day in the country-Neelam Katara,Social activist on Uphaar fire tragedy verdict pic.twitter.com/GlcKPE1jj5
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2015Mera Judiciary se vishwaas uth gaya hain: N Krishnamurthy (Kin of victim) on SC verdict on Uphaar Fire tragedy pic.twitter.com/YrVHEfo3Eo
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 19, 2015