Uphaar fire tragedy: Chronology of events

Following is the chronology of events in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case:

June 13, 1997: 59 people die of asphyxia in Uphaar cinema hall fire, which broke out during screening of Hindi movie Border. Over hundred persons receive injuries in the subsequent stampede.

July 22, 1997: Theatre owner Sushil and his son Pranav Ansal arrested in Mumbai by the crime branch of Delhi police.

July 24, 1997: Probe transferred from Delhi police to the CBI.

November 15, 1997: CBI files chargesheet against 16 accused including theatre owners-- Sushil and Gopal Ansal.

March 10, 1999: A sessions court presided by L D Malik initiates trial.

February 27, 2001: Court frames charges against accused under various sections including 304 (culpable homicide), 304 A (causing death by negligent act) and 337 (hurt) of the IPC.

May 23, 2001: Recording of prosecution witnesses' testimony begins.

April 4, 2002: High court asks trial court to try to wrap up the case by December 15.

January 27, 2003: Ansals' plea seeking re-possession of the theatre rejected on the ground that place of incident is to be preserved to appreciate evidence.

April 24, 2003: The Delhi high court awards Rs 18 crore compensation to be paid to the relatives of victims.

September 4, 2004: Court starts recording statements of accused.

November 5, 2005: Recording of testimonies of defence witnesses begins.

August 2, 2006: Court concludes recording of testimony of defence witnesses.

August 9, 2006: ASJ Mamta Sehgal inspects the theatre.

February 14, 2007: Accused start advancing final arguments.

August 21, 2007: Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy approaches Delhi high court seeking conclusion of trial
within a fixed time frame.

August 20, 2007: Senior advocate Harish Salve appears for CBI and advances final arguments.

August 21, 2007: Judgement reserved. Court fixes September 5 for pronouncement of verdict.

September 5, 2007: Court defers pronouncement of verdict and says it would fix the date of judgement on October 22.

October 22, 2007: Court fixes November 20 as the date of verdict.

November 20, 2007: Court convicts all 12 accused including theatre owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal in the case. The qunatum of punishment to be pronounced on Wednesday.