SC directs CBI to arrest Ansal brothers

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court today sought an explanation from the CBI as to why the bailable warrants issued by the apex court against Ansal brothers in Uphaar cinema tragedy case have not been executed.

A bench headed by Mr Justice B N Agrawal directed the CBI to first execute the orders of bailable warrant issued against Sushil Ansal, Gopal Ansal and their two employees Nirmal Singh Chopra and Ajay Choudhary.

Senior counsel Harish Salve appearing for CBI submitted before the court that the warrants would be executed today itself and CBI has received copy of the bailable warrant only this evening.

Now, Ansal brothers who were present in the court will have to be formally arrested by the CBI and then released on bail.

The apex court expressed its unhappiness on non-compliance of its orders during the hearing of a petition filed by the association of victims of Uphaar tragedy. Fifty nine people died in 1999 when fire broke out during the movie show at Uphaar theatre in the Green Park area of South Delhi.

Ansal brothers have been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for criminal negligence and their appeals are pending in the Delhi High Court.

According to the petitioner the hearing in the High Court is being unduly prolonged.

UNI SC SV BD1833