Delhi cinema fire case accused gets bail

The Delhi high court on Friday granted conditional bail to Ansal Properties and Companies chairman Sushil Ansal in the Uphaar cinema fire case, which left at least 50 dead and another hundred injured.

Delivering the eight-page judgment, Justice N G Nandi said Ansal will be released on furnishing a surety of Rs 25,000 and a personal bond of like amount.

The two conditions laid before granting the bail were that the accused shall not tamper with the evidence and shall not leave the limits of Delhi without prior permission of the trial court.

The order said it was submitted by senior counsel Ram Jethmalani, appearing for Ansal, that the petitioner resigned as director of Green Park Theatres Associated Private Ltd which owns Uphaar cinema, in 1988. Another director, who retired in March 1995, had been granted bail by the sessions court.

The judge said the fire was reportedly triggered by the transformer which is maintained by the Delhi Vidyut Board.

This transformer caught fire at 0700 hours on the fateful day. The same was repaired and put to operation but it was, however, defective, the order said.

The negligence of the electricity board employees is prima facie established and they have been denied bail by the sessions court, the order said.

Jethmalani further said the deaths occurred because of smoke, suffocation and stampede and there were no findings given by the sessions court that the petitioner would be guilty under Section 304 Part II of the Indian Penal Code.

Central Bureau of Investigation counsel R S Jamuar retorted that the licence was in the petitioner's name.

UNI

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