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Uphaar fire tragedy in Delhi: Family members hold prayer meet

Association of Victims of the Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), which is fighting legal battles, said a mechanism be devised to compel "offenders to think twice before doing an act which endangers human life."

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Family members of victims of Uphaar fire tragedy today held a prayer meet in the memory of 59 persons who died of asphyxia in the theatre 14 years ago.

Association of Victims of the Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT), which is fighting legal battles, said a mechanism be devised to compel "offenders to think twice before doing an act which endangers human life."

"The collusion of callous and greedy officials, big business houses and an apathetic system flourishes. Civil society movements to insist on appropriate judicial mechanisms that compel offenders to think twice before indulging in acts of omission and commission that can endanger human life, are the need of the hour," AVUT president Neelam Krishnamoorthy, who also lost her two children in the inferno, said.

The prayer meet was held in Smriti Upavan at Green Park Extension, opposite the site of Uphaar hall.

We have approached the President, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the law minister for enactment of a law to prevent man-made tragedies at public places, he said, adding that so far, no action has been taken.

The high court had on December 19, 2009, sentenced the owners of Uphaar Cinema -- Sushil and Gopal Ansal and former Delhi Fire Service staff HS Panwar to one year jail term.

Three others -- gate keeper Manmohan Unniyal, Delhi Vidyut Board employees Brij Mohan Satija and Bir Singh -- were awarded two-year jail term.

The appeal against the high court's judgement is pending in the Supreme Court.

59 cine-goers had died of asphyxia on June 13, 1997 during the screening of Hindi blockbuster movie Border.

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