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The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
Uphaar fire tragedy: 28 years on, families still miss loved ones, demand accountability
There were prayers, moments of silence, emotional recollections, and a renewed appeal for justice and accountability, AVUT, in a statement, said. The memorial, organised by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), saw grieving families, friends, and supporters streaming to the south Delhi area to remember their loved ones. New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) The Uphaar cinema fire tragedy victims' kin gathered at Smriti Upavan in Green Park on Friday to mark 28 years of the horrific incident that claimed 59 lives and injured more than 100. 'It has been 28 years, and we are still waiting for answers, for closure, for justice that feels complete,' said Neelam Krishnamoorthy, president of AVUT, who lost her two teenage children in the fire. 'Every year we come here not just to mourn, but to remind the system that such a tragedy must never happen again,' she said. In 1997, a fire broke out during a screening of the film Border at the Uphaar cinema hall. Locked exits and a delayed rescue led to dozens of people getting trapped inside, many of them young. AVUT has since fought a legal battle to hold those responsible to account. The fight revealed major gaps in the cinema halls' safety apparatus, such as the lack of emergency preparedness and a trauma centre in Delhi. The setting up of Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, which has been functioning for 18 years, is a result of that legal battle. The Supreme Court in 2015 imposed a Rs 60 crore fine on the Ansal brothers, the owners of the theatre, instead of a jail term. The amount was meant to fund another trauma centre, an extension of AIIMS in Dwarka, but that project is still pending, according to the statement. 'It is heartbreaking to see something so critical stuck in limbo. Lives depend on it,' Krishnamoorthy said. As they lit candles and laid flowers, families said they would keep returning to this place until the system changes, and until public safety becomes more than just a promise. PTI SHB VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Uphaar fire tragedy: 28 years on, families still miss loved ones, demand accountability
New Delhi, The Uphaar cinema fire tragedy victims' kin gathered at Smriti Upavan in Green Park on Friday to mark 28 years of the horrific incident that claimed 59 lives and injured more than 100. The memorial, organised by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy , saw grieving families, friends, and supporters streaming to the south Delhi area to remember their loved ones. There were prayers, moments of silence, emotional recollections, and a renewed appeal for justice and accountability, AVUT, in a statement, said. "It has been 28 years, and we are still waiting for answers, for closure, for justice that feels complete," said Neelam Krishnamoorthy, president of AVUT, who lost her two teenage children in the fire. "Every year we come here not just to mourn, but to remind the system that such a tragedy must never happen again," she said. In 1997, a fire broke out during a screening of the film Border at the Uphaar cinema hall. Locked exits and a delayed rescue led to dozens of people getting trapped inside, many of them young. AVUT has since fought a legal battle to hold those responsible to account. The fight revealed major gaps in the cinema halls' safety apparatus, such as the lack of emergency preparedness and a trauma centre in Delhi. The setting up of Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, which has been functioning for 18 years, is a result of that legal battle. The Supreme Court in 2015 imposed a ₹60 crore fine on the Ansal brothers, the owners of the theatre, instead of a jail term. The amount was meant to fund another trauma centre, an extension of AIIMS in Dwarka, but that project is still pending, according to the statement. "It is heartbreaking to see something so critical stuck in limbo. Lives depend on it," Krishnamoorthy said. As they lit candles and laid flowers, families said they would keep returning to this place until the system changes, and until public safety becomes more than just a promise.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- India Gazette
28 years of Uphaar cinema tragedy: Families remember victims, demand action
New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): On the 28th anniversary of the Uphaar Cinema fire, grieving families and the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) gathered at Smriti Upavan, the memorial site in Green Park Extension, to honor the 59 lives lost on June 13, 1997. This year, the anniversary once again falls on Friday the 13th, mirroring the tragic day when a fire during a film screening turned into one of Delhi's worst man-made disasters. The commemoration was marked by prayers, heartfelt tributes, and renewed calls for justice and accountability. 'For 28 years, we have carried the grief of our loved ones and the burden of a system that continues to fail its citizens,' said Neelam Krishnamoorthy, President of AVUT. She added, 'This is not just a day of mourning--it is a protest against institutional negligence and the apathy that allowed this tragedy to happen.' The Uphaar fire remains a stark reminder of fire safety lapses, regulatory failures, and administrative indifference. Even decades later, the battle for justice continues. Following the tragedy, AVUT filed a civil writ petition in the Delhi High Court demanding trauma care facilities for the city. This led to the establishment of the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, which has served the public for 18 years. In a criminal appeal, the Supreme Court in 2015 imposed a Rs 60 crore fine on the Ansal brothers--owners of Uphaar Cinema--in lieu of a custodial sentence. The funds were allocated to build a second trauma centre at AIIMS Dwarka, but the project remains stalled. 'Nearly a decade after the Supreme Court's directive, the Dwarka trauma centre has yet to be built. This is a betrayal--not just to the Uphaar families, but to every citizen relying on timely emergency care,' Krishnamoorthy stated. AVUT continues its legal efforts, urging swift government action to complete the facility. As the nation reflects on this painful chapter, AVUT calls on authorities and civil society to prioritize public safety, strengthen fire regulations, and uphold the sanctity of human life. The Uphaar tragedy must never be allowed to repeat. (ANI)
India Gazette
08-05-2025
- India Gazette
Uphar Tragedy: SC issues notice to Delhi government over delay in construction of trauma centre
New Delhi [India], May 8 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Delhi government over a plea that sought a delay in the construction of a trauma centre in memory of the victims of the Uphaar fire tragedy that took the lives of 59 people. While allowing the plea filed by the association of victims in the Uphaar tragedy (AVUT), a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh issued notices to the respondents, the Ansal brothers, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).The bench also allowed the AVUT's request to implead the Delhi government in the case and issued notice to it. As per the 2015 judgment of the Supreme Court in this case, a fine of Rs 60 crores was imposed on the Ansal Brothers (owners of Uphaar cinema) after they were found guilty of criminal negligence that had led to the tragedy. The amount was subsequently deposited with the Delhi government's Chief Secretary to construct a trauma centre in memory of the victims. However, on Wednesday, the association of victims in the Uphaar tragedy (AVUT) informed the Supreme Court that ten years had elapsed since the Court's direction in this regard, and no progress has been made to date. 'The funds allocated for the Trauma Centre continue to remain unutilized, and the proposed facility remains a mere concept on paper. The continued inaction and lethargy exhibited by the concerned authorities, despite the clear mandate of this Hon'ble Court, reflects an alarming disregard not only towards judicial directions, but also towards the need for improved healthcare infrastructure', the plea reads. After hearing submissions in the matter on Wednesday, the top court sought the response of the aforesaid parties in the case. Advocate Diksha Rai represented AVUT in the matter. After the Ansal brothers were found guilty of criminal negligence, they were sentenced to two-years of rigorous imprisonment by the top-court. However, subsequently one-year sentence was reduced on the condition that the Ansal's jointly deposit a fine of Rs 60 crores with the government. The fine was directed to be paid by way of a demand draft to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government within three months and was directed to be used for the purpose of establishing a trauma centre. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Uphaar Cinema tragedy: SC issues notice to Delhi govt on status of trauma centre
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Delhi government on the implementation of its decade-old order of developing a trauma centre in memory of the 59 victims of the Uphaar Cinema fire in June 1997. A desolate view of the Uphaar Cinema Hall that has remained sealed since the June 1997 fire incident which claimed 59 lives. (HT ARCHIVE) In September 2015, the top court ordered that the trauma centre be built using the ₹ 60 crore paid as compensationby Ansal brothers, the owners of Uphaar Cinema. On Wednesday, a bench headed by justice Surya Kant passed the order on an application filed by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT). The association informed the court about its order of September 22, 2015 by which the trauma facility was required to be completed within two years. The AVUT, represented by advocate Diksha Rai, told the court that the issue not only highlights the non-compliance of the court order but also the larger issue of providing health care infrastructure. The bench, also comprising justice N Kotiswar Singh, said, 'What is the status of the trauma centre? Who is appearing for Delhi government?' On Rai's request, the court added the Delhi government as a party to the proceedings and issued notice seeking a response before the matter is next heard in July. The top court's judgment of September 2015 held the Ansal brothers, Gopal Ansal and Sushil Ansal, guilty of causing death due to negligence for the tragedy which took place on June 13, 1997. A three-judge bench sentenced them to two years' imprisonment with a rider that in lieu of the one-year sentence they had to further undergo, the same shall be substituted with a fine of ₹ 60 crore to be equally apportioned between the two brothers. The trauma facility was to come up at Dwarka in west Delhi. The application by AVUT said, 'While about 10 years have elapsed since the stipulated fine amount was deposited with the office of the chief secretary, government of NCT of Delhi on November 9, 2015, the trauma centre envisaged in this court's directions remains a non-starter, with no discernable steps having been taken towards its construction.' The AVUT has been waging a legal battle against the Ansals, and moved the aforesaid application this year in their pending appeal against a December 2008 Delhi high court order reducing the two-year sentence awarded to the Ansals to one year. The duo was convicted under sections 304-A (causing death due to negligence), 337 (endangering life), and 338 (causing grievous hurt) among other provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Initially, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard the appeal, and on March 5, 2014 delivered a split verdict. While one judge affirmed the HC order, the other judge was of the view that the sentence be enhanced to the maximum of two years' rigorous imprisonment, but went on to add that the enhanced jail sentence of one year will be substituted with an exemplary fine of ₹ 100 crore. Due to the difference of opinion, the matter went to a three-judge bench which reduced the fine to ₹ 60 crore, to be shared equally by the Ansal brothers. Later, the association had filed a review petition which was dismissed by the top court in February 2017. However, the court reiterated that the money should be utilised for construction of a trauma hospital in memory of the victims. Since then, the association has filed several applications under the Right to Information Act to know about the progress of construction of the trauma centre, and even wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India in 2021 to ensure the order of the court is implemented. 'There is no discernible progress in identification or allotment of a site suitable for construction of the trauma centre, commencement of construction, or utilization of the fine amount lying in the government treasury towards the purpose envisaged in this court's specific directive,' the application said. 'The funds allocated for the trauma centre continue to remain unutilized, and the proposed facility remains a mere concept on paper. The continued inaction and lethargy exhibited by the concerned authorities, despite the clear mandate of this court, reflects an alarming disregard not only towards judicial directions, but also towards the need for improved health care infrastructure,' it added.
