The Uphaar Cinema fire on 13 June 1997 killed 59 people in Delhi. Owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal were convicted of causing death by negligence, paid Rs 60 crore…
A Delhi Vidyut Board transformer in the cinema's parking area caught fire. It was repaired and recharged that morning.
The same transformer burned again. Leaking oil set parked cars alight and thick, poisonous smoke rose.
Smoke filled the balcony, the lights failed and exit doors were bolted or locked. 59 died; 103 were injured.
How a transformer fire killed 59 people.
The chargesheet named cinema owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal among 16 accused.
Rs 18 lakh or Rs 15 lakh per death, plus Rs 2.5 crore punitive damages against the licensee.
All 12 accused still on trial were convicted. The Ansals got two years for causing death by negligence.
The High Court upheld the convictions but cut the Ansals' sentence from two years to one.
How the Ansals' punishment changed.
Awards fell to Rs 10 lakh and Rs 7.5 lakh. The MCD and licensing authority were cleared.
The Ansals could avoid more prison by paying Rs 30 crore each for trauma care in Delhi.
Gopal Ansal had to finish his one-year term. Sushil, 77, was spared due to age.
Two separate prosecutions.
The Ansals were jailed for tampering with fire-case records. In 2022 this was cut to time served.
After 26 years as a sealed crime scene, the cinema was released to its owners.
Delhi says the Rs 60 crore went to three hospitals. Victims say the promised centre never came.
The court ordered written submissions and listed the appeals for 15 October 2026.
From the fire to the latest order.
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