Uphaar Fire Tragedy: Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Gopal Ansal’s Plea Seeking Renewal Of Passport For 10 Years

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a plea filed by real estate tycoon Gopal Ansal seeking renewal of his passport for a period of 10 years.

Gopal Ansal and his brother Sushil Ansal were awarded 7-year-jail term each in November 2021 by a CMM Court in the evidence tampering case in connection with the Uphaar fire tragedy that happened in 1997. 

However, in July last year, the Sessions Court reduced it to the already undergone period, meaning they were freed after spending a little over eight months in jail in the case. 

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani sought response of the Delhi Police and the complainant, Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT).

The court said that notice was being issued to AVUT in line with the observations of the Supreme Court in the case of Jagjeet Singh & Ors v. Ashish Mishra @ Monu & Anr. (2022) whereby a victim was accorded the right of hearing in criminal proceedings.

Justice Bhambhani noted that vide an order passed by the CMM on August 10, 2021, it was stated that the court had no objection if the passport is renewed as per the rules and procedure.

The court also noted that the procedure permits renewal of passports for only one year for persons who are facing trial or appellate proceedings in criminal matters. 

The criminal revision petitions of Ansal brothers against their conviction and sentencing are pending before a coordinate bench.

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.

Title: Gopal Ansal v. State