Uphaar Fire: Delhi High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Evidence Tampering Case

Delhi High Court judge, Justice Amit Mahajan, has recused from hearing the evidence tampering case connected to the Uphaar fire tragedy that happened in the year 1997.This was after an apprehension was raised by the complainant that since Justice Mahajan had, at some stage, represented M/s. Ansal Housing and Construction Limited as a lawyer, she might not get a fair hearing. As the complainant requested that matter be listed before another Bench, the counsel appearing for the petitioners raised serious objections to such apprehension. They submitted that the hearing had already started and they had already addressed arguments on October 29. Hearing the counsels, the Court said:“Even though the objection raised is meritless and does not have any basis, in order to alley any fear that the complainant may have, in the interest of justice, subject to orders of Hon'ble the Judge In-Charge (Single Benches – Criminal Jurisdiction), list these matters before another Bench on 06.11.2025.”The pleas were filed seeking revision of a trial court order for enhancement of sentence awarded to Sushil Ansal, Gopal Ansal and others convicted in the case. On 13 June 1997, 59 lives were lost and 103 people were injured in the fire of Uphaar Cinema, where audience was watching that year's biggest Bollywood blockbuster, Border, during an afternoon screening.After 95 hearings, the Ansals were finally convicted, to seven years in prison on 8 November 2021, in evidence tampering case, the Court also imposes a fine of Rs 2.5 crore on each of the Ansals.However, after upholding the conviction, Principal District & Sessions Court released Ansals against the period already undergone by them in jail.CMM Pankaj Sharma had convicted Ansals and others under Sections 201 (tampering of evidence), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.Click here to read order

Uphaar Fire: Delhi High Court Judge Recuses From Hearing Evidence Tampering Case

Nupur Thapliyal

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