New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) The Delhi High Court Monday called for a file on former Delhi police officer Amod Kanth while hearing a plea seeking sanction to prosecute him for the 1997 Uphaar cinema fire here that killed 59 people.
The kin of the victims had sought permission to prosecute Kanth for allegedly allowing extra seats in the cinema hall, leading to closure of one of its exits.
Justice Vipin Sanghi directed the home ministry to submit the file by April 19.
Appearing for the Uphaar theatre fire victims’ kin, senior advocate K.T.S. Tulsi said the ministry rejected an appeal for sanction to prosecute Kanth saying the matter was in court and it would not intervene at this stage.
Fiftynine people, mostly from the upper floor balcony class, died in the blaze while over 100 were injured when a fire engulfed the cinema hall during the screening of Hindi film “Border” June 13, 1997.
