Two former Uphaar cinema managers, serving seven years rigorous imprisonment in connection with 1997 cinema hall fire tragedy case, today moved the Delhi High Court to challenge their conviction.
New Delhi, Jan 15 : Two former Uphaar cinema managers, serving seven years' rigorous imprisonment in connection with 1997 cinema hall fire tragedy case, today moved the Delhi High Court to challenge their conviction.
After issuing notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Justice H R Malhotra fixed January 13 as the next date for hearing.
Radha Krishan Sharma and Nirmal Singh Chopra are presently lodged in Tihar jail.
Challenging their conviction, they alleged that the trial court has failed to appreciate the evidence against them. They also sought the court to suspend their sentence.
On behalf of Sharma, his counsel said that his client should be released on bail because he is critically ill. The court told the jail authorities to give his medical records on next hearing.
Earlier, a former Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) employee approached the Delhi High Court to challenge his conviction. He is undergoing seven-year rigorous imprisonment.
Singh, was a senior electrician with the DVB, he had repaired the transformer at Uphaar cinema on the morning of 13th June, 1997, the day of a devastating fire at the theatre.
Ajit Chowdhary (Uphaar manager), Manmohan Unniyal (cinema's gatekeeper), Brij Mohan Satija, A K Gera and Bir Singh, all DVB officials were handed down seven years' jail term.
Fifty-nine people were choked to death, while 109 survived with injuries after the Uphaar Cinema caught fire leading to a stampede on June 13, 1997.
ANI