CBI gives clean chit to Amod Kanth in Uphaar case

New Delhi, Apr 17 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday gave a clean chit to former Delhi Police officer Amod Kanth in connection with the Uphaar fire tragedy case of June 13, 1997.

Kanth was accused of illegally allowing the retention of 37 extra seats in theatre, where a fire claimed 59 lives 12 years ago.

According to reports, no criminal act were found to have been committed by any of the officials of any department other than the 16 persons chargesheeted in the Uphaar case.

District and Sessions Judge I. K. Kochhar has now fixed the matter for consideration for May 13.

Kanth, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police (Licensing), had allegedly allowed Uphaar theatre owners, Sushil and Gopal Ansal, to retain 37 extra seats in the balcony which had led to the closure of an exit gate.

On February 12, 2004, a Delhi court issued a notice to the CBI on an application for summoning Kanth.

The application was moved by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). (ANI)