New Delhi, April 28 (). The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Ansal Theaters and Clubotels Pvt Ltd to approach the lower court to get the seal of Uphaar Cinema Hall removed.
Former directors of the firm were real estate barons Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal. A bench headed by Justice KM Joseph recorded the arguments of CBI and Delhi Police that they have no claim on the property.
The bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagaratna and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said that if the firm approaches the trial court within 10 weeks, the court can decide its plea in accordance with law. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, representing the probe agency, said the trial court was the appropriate forum to be approached for de-sealing the property.
Appearing in person, Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) President Neelam Krishnamurthy argued that the apex court had asked the Ansal brothers to deposit Rs 60 crore for the construction of a trauma center in Delhi. The AVUT had argued that the de-sealing of the cinema hall could affect the evidence that the extra seats caused the gangway to close, resulting in the death of cinema-goers.
The lawyer representing the Ansal brothers said they have already deposited Rs 60 crore for the construction of the trauma centre. The lawyer said that the cinema hall should be de-sealed as the hearing in the main case is over. Earlier, the CBI had opposed the de-sealing and release of the cinema hall till the completion of the trial.
On 20 April, the Supreme Court quashed the trial court proceedings for lack of sanction to prosecute former IPS officer Amod Kanth in the 1997 Uphaar fire case. The top court said the magistrate erred in taking cognizance against Kanth contrary to the demands of section 197 of the CrPC.
KC/SGK
Follow Niharika Times for all the big news from India and abroad. Like us on Facebook and Twitter . Always visit Niharika Times for latest news.