New Delhi

Apex court order on Ansals hailed

NEW DELHI: The Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy convener Neelam Krishnamoorthy on Wednesday hailed the Supreme Court order cancelling the bail of Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal in the Uphaar fire tragedy case.

“After 11 long years of legal battle, we have finally got justice for our children. With the Supreme Court order, a message has gone down strongly to the high and mighty that they cannot play around with the law and that the law of the land is equal for all. As for the Ansals, they had been trying to trifle with every order of the lower court and the High Court. They even tampered with the judicial records. Although they are being sent behind bars after 11 years, it is the right place for such people who have scant respect for human life,” said Ms. Krishnamoorthy, who lost her daughter Unnati (17) and son Ujwal (13) in the tragedy.

The Supreme Court has also cancelled the bail granted to Ajit Chowdhary and Nirmal Chopra, managers of the theatre, who were awarded seven years of imprisonment.

The Delhi High Court on January 4 had granted bail to the Ansal brothers and two other accused.

Ms. Krishnamoorthy said there was still a long way to go for them to actually get justice for the victims. “We had full faith in the judiciary, that’s why we keep coming to the court on each and every hearing. We did not give up hope and our stand is vindicated today. But the war is still on. We have to follow the appeal in the High Court and thereafter. We have also filed a revision petition for enhancement of charges.” Acknowledging that the Supreme Court order will give them new energy to continue their fight, Ms. Krishnamoorthy said: “The common man had been losing faith in the judicial system, but now even he can stand up and say that he can get justice in this country, though I feel something really needs to be done to reduce the trial period which in some cases spans over a decade.”

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