SC refuses immediate hearing of Ansal plea

A plea was moved by real estate baron Gopal Ansal in the court seeking its nod for his travel to London and New York on business.

Smoke billowing out of the Uphaar cinema in South Delhi, where 59 people were killed in a devastating fire on June 13, 1997. File photo.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to give immediate hearing to a plea of real estate baron Gopal Ansal, convicted in the Uphaar fire tragedy, seeking its nod for his visit to London and New York on business.

A bench comprising Justices J S Khehar and C Nagappan declined to hear Ansal’s plea and asked him to mention the matter next week before another vacation bench.

A plea has been moved by Ansal in the court seeking its nod for his travel to London from June 16—20 and to New York on June 20—27 and back to India on June 28—29.

An application on behalf of Gopal Ansal was mentioned before the bench on the day of the 17th anniversary of the tragedy.

>Ansal brothers —— Sushil and Gopal —— who have been convicted in the >June 13, 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy which claimed 59 lives during the screening of the Hindi blockbuster ’Border’ have been restrained by the apex court on April 22 from leaving the country without its permission.

The plea moved by Ansal said that he needs to travel to London to meet financers, investors, architects and to discuss investment proposals for 45 acres of land belonging to M/s Ansal Buildwell Ltd and associate companies in Kumrakom, Kerala.

For his New York visit from London, Ansal in his plea said that he needs to explore real estate development possibilities in and around the American city.

Ansal said that after his return to India on June 28/29, he will be informing the court forthwith.

On March 26, the apex court had expressed serious displeasure over Sushil Ansal leaving the country without its prior permission.

The Association of Victims of Uphaar Fire Tragedy (AVUT) had approached the Supreme Court against Ansals’ travelling abroad without the court’s permission.

The Association had contended that since Ansals’ have been convicted by the apex court, they cannot leave the country without the permission of the top court.

Further, it had sought imposition of suitable conditions on the bail enjoyed by Ansals’ as no conditions were stipulated, when they were granted bail on January 30, 2009.

“We appeal to the Government of India to bring in a new legislation to deal with man—made disasters pending for past 5 years,” AVUT said.