Uphaar case: SC judge recuses himself from hearing Ansal's plea

New Delhi, Jun 16; A

judge on Monday recused himself from hearing a plea of real estate baron Gopal Ansal, convicted in the

tragedy case, seeking its nod to visit London and New York on a business trip.

As soon as Ansal's lawyer mentioned the matter, Justice Vikramajit Sen, who was heading the bench, said that the case be listed before another bench.

Ansal has petitioned the court seeking its permission to travel to London from June 16-20 and to New York on June 20-27 and return to India on June 28-29.

Ansal brothers -- Sushil and Gopal -- who have been convicted in the June 13, 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy which claimed 59 lives during the screening of the Hindi blockbuster 'Border', were restrained by the apex court on April 22 from leaving the country without its permission.

Gopal Ansal said that he needed to travel to London to meet financers, investors, architects and to discuss investment proposals for 45 acres of land belonging to M/s Ansal Buildwell Ltd and associate companies in Kumrakom, Kerala.

For his New York visit from London, Ansal said that he needed to explore real estate development possibilities in and around the US city. On March 26, the apex court had expressed serious displeasure over Sushil Ansal leaving the country without its prior nod.

The Association of Victims of Uphaar Fire Tragedy (AVUT) had approached the Supreme Court against Ansals' travelling abroad without the court's permission.

The apex court had on March 5 upheld the conviction of the Ansals in the case, saying they were more interested about making money than ensuring safety of the cinegoers.

PTI