Ansal plea to reduce sentence in Supreme Court today

New Delhi: Even as the Supreme Court decided to hear on March 8 the petition filed by Gopal Ansal for reducing his sentence in the Uphaar Cinema tragedy case, the victims sought enhancement of the punishment to his brother Sushil Ansal, who has been let off with the sentence already undergone.

A bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi will hear both the petitions on Wednesday. In his petition Gopal Ansal sought modification of the order directing him to surrender to serve the remaining period of sentence awarded in the case relating to Uphaar fire tragedy, in which 59 persons were killed.

Gopal wanted the court to apply principle of parity in his case on the ground that he has already spent more in custody than his brother has served. He wanted the court to extend the time of surrender till it decided his application. He submitted that he was a victim of prejudice “created in high political circles and the media” and reiterated his innocence.

The apex court had recently asked Gopal Ansal to undergo the remaining jail term in the case, while his elder brother Sushil Ansal got relief with the court let off with the sentence in prison already undergone by him in view of age-related complications. Gopal said that he was 69 years old and would suffer irreparable damage to his health if he is sent to jail.

In its petition, the Association for Victims of Uphaar Tragedy, through senior counsel K.T.S. Tulsi, opposed the plea saying there cannot be a review of the review judgment. It said that the sentence of imprisonment of one year imposed on Sushil Ansal stands reduced to the sentence already undergone in view of the advance age related complications.

It submitted that the two brothers are healthy and in a good condition to travel abroad, as they have been admittedly done frequently. This further suggests that they are not suffering from any medical complications to warrant any indulgence from this court particularly after being convicted of such heinous crime.