New Delhi(IANS) : Unhappy with the sentence awarded to the key accused in the Uphaar cinema fire disaster of 10 years ago, relatives of the 59 victims met here Saturday and vowed to continue their fight for justice.
The 28 families gathered at the Smriti Upavan, a memorial erected opposite the now shut Uphaar cinema in south Delhi, and performed religious rituals in memory of the 59 who were killed in the inferno that broke out during a screening of a Bollywood blockbuster.
With tears in their eyes and folded hands, they paid tributes to their loved ones.
“We have not fought for 10 long years to bargain for a mere two years’ imprisonment. We have resolved to fight until we all get justice,” said Neelam Krishnamoorthy, who lost both her children in the tragedy.
“It’s a travesty of justice. Killing Chinkara fetches you a five-year sentence but punishment for claiming 59 killing is just two years. It is very painful to see the Ansals (Gopal and Sushil) walking free,” Krishnamoorthy, who heads the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), told IANS.
Last month, Additional Sessions Judge Mamta Sehgal sentenced real estate tycoons Sushil and Gopal Ansal, owners of the theatre, to two years in prison and a fine of Rs.5,000 each.
However, the duo were released on bail after furnishing a personal bond of Rs.25,000 each.
“We are not satisfied as the Ansal brothers are convicted only under Section 304-A (causing death due to negligent act) and will face the punishment of two years in jail,” said Nanak Chand, who lost his son in the fire.
“We want a stiffer punishment for them and pray to god that no such tragedy occurs in the future. We have lost the sole breadwinner of our family. Do you really think justice has been done?” Chand asked.
The AVUT said it would approach the Delhi High Court for a review of the lower court verdict.
“For 10 years we have worked hard and attended thousands of hearings. There is much frustration. We will go to the high court for stricter punishment to the Ansals,” said Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, general secretary of AVUT.