Uphaar tragedy: Delhi HC grants bail to Ansal brothers

New Delhi, Jan 4: The Delhi High Court today granted bail to the owners of Uphaar Cinema hall, Gopal and Sushil Ansal, who were convicted by a lower court in connection with the 1997 cinema hall fire tragedy. The court also granted bail to two other convicts, Shyam Sunder Sharma and H S Panwar -- in the case. Justice H R Malhotra asked all the four to furnish a personal and surety bond of Rs 50,000 each.

The court said that it would hold hearings on a daily basis from February 15. A Delhi Sessions Court on November 23 awarded Gopal and Sushil two years of imprisonment in connection with the Uphaar Cinema hall fire tragedy that left 59 people dead and over hundred people injured.The brothers were held guilty of criminal negligence in the case.

Seven other convicts in the case have been given seven years of imprisonment, and remaining three of the twelve convicts have been given two years of imprisonment.

Other accused in the case are R K Sharma, Ajit Chaudhary, N S Chopra, Manmohan Uniyal, N D Tiwari, B M Satija, A K Gera and Beer Singh.

The tragedy took place on June 13, 1997 during the screening of the Hindi film, "Border."

The theatre was engulfed when an overheated generator burst in the basement of the building. Men, women and children all scampered to rush out of the four cinema hall exits.

ANI