Delhi court frees Ansals in proof-tampering case

New Delhi, July 19

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A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered the release of real estate barons Sushil (82) and Gopal Ansal (73) against the jail term already undergone by them for the tampering of evidence in a case related to the 1997 Uphaar cinema fire in which 59 people were killed during the screening of Bollywood blockbuster ‘Border’ on June 13, 1997.

District Judge Dharmesh Sharma, however, upheld the fine of Rs 2.25 crore each imposed on Sushil and Gopal Ansal by a court of Judicial Magistrate. The Ansal brothers were awarded seven-year jail term by the magisterial court on November 8 last year and they have been in jail since then. “We empathise with you (Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy chairperson Neelam Krishnamoorti). Many lives were lost, which can never be compensated. But you must understand that the penal policy is not about retribution. We have to consider their (Ansals) age. You have suffered, but they have also suffered,” Sharma said. (With PTI Inputs)

Uphaar tragedy

June 13, 1997: 59 die of asphyxia in a fire in Uphaar cinema

July 20, 2002: Tampering of evidence detected in ongoing trial

May 5, 2006: Delhi HC directs the Special Branch of Delhi Police to register a tampering case

May 13: FIR lodged

Oct 8, 2021: Chief Metropolitan Magistrate convicts Ansals for tampering with crucial evidence

Nov 8: CMM court awards 7-year-jail term to Sushil, Gopal Ansal; imposes fine of Rs 2.25 crore each. Convicts taken into custody

Dec 3: Jail term awarded to Ansals

July 19: Ansals ordered to be freed against jail term aleady undergone