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| Victims' kin await justice |
| ''We have to go to court each time there is a hearing. The case is just dragging on,'' said Durgadas, victim's father.
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| INDIA
, 13-June-2007
2:14:17 AM |
| Ten years ago, Durgadas had a dream to expand his business. Today he is shattered, as his life and business have changed for the worse.
Ever since he lost his 17-year-old son to the Uphaar tragedy, he has had to do several rounds of the trial court hearing the case. And in the process his work suffered.
''We have to go to court each time there is a hearing. The case is just dragging on,'' said Durgadas, victim's father.
Exactly 10 years ago, a fire at the Uphaar cinema hall in south Delhi claimed 59 lives. Ironically, none succumbed to burn injuries. All of them died due to asphyxia.
The gangways had been narrowed, emergency lights were not working and some exits were even locked as the cinema staff fled when the fire broke out.
Since then it has been a battle for the shattered families to get justice. Sixteen people are accused in the case, including the owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal.
And while the compensation case has been appealed by the Ansals in the Supreme Court, the case for criminal liability continues.
Seeking justice
In 2003, the Delhi High Court hearing the civil case, ordered that Rs 18.5 crore be paid as compensation to the families of the victims, but no money has been paid to date.
''What will we do with compensation? We want to see the guilty punished,'' said Vikas, victim's son.
Last month, hearing a petition filed by the families of the victims, the High Court ordered the trial court to complete proceedings by August 31.
This was the second such order. The earlier deadline set for the criminal case expired in December 2002.
The families of the victims have been observing a vigil for the past 10 days outside Uphaar to generate public awareness about the case.
The victims want someone somewhere to take note of their plight so that there is some kind of closure for the pain that has been continuing for the last 10 years.
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