Uphaar fire tragedy: Order on ex-cop’s trial Aug 12
By IANSMonday, August 9, 2010
NEW DELHI - A city court Monday fixed Aug 12 to pronounce its order on a plea by families of victims of the 1997 Uphaar cinema hall fire tragedy challenging a clean chit given to former police officer Amod Kanth by federal investigators.
The tragedy took place June 13, 1997 in Uphaar cinema hall in south Delhi, killing 59 cine-goers. Over a hundred others received injuries in the subsequent stampede.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which investigated the case, gave a clean chit to the former Indian Police Service officer.
On Monday, Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjeev Kumar said: “List the matter for pronouncement of order Aug 12.”
The court has to decide on the objection petition of the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) questioning the CBI’s report disfavouring prosecution of Kanth.
The AVUT alleged Kanth, as the then deputy commissioner of Delhi Police (licensing), allowed extra seats in Uphaar cinema hall’s balcony which allegedly led to closure of exit gates.
The fire broke out during the screening of the Hindi film “Border”.
