Verdict has no meaning for me, only the rich get justice, says Neelam, who lost her children in Uphaar tragedy

The Supreme Court verdict in the Uphaar theatre fire tragedy case has come as a big blow for those who had been fighting the 18-year-old legal battle against Ansal brothers. While the apex court has imposed a fine of Rs 60 crore on the brothers, they have not been given any jail term despite being guilty of the crime.

Talking to mediapersons after the Supreme Court order, Neelam Krishnamurthy, who lost both her children in the tragedy, termed the decision as travesty of justice. “It seems that the judiciary is only for the rich," she said, fuming over no jail for Ansal brothers.

"They have escaped jail term only because of money power. This is not justice in any form," she said.

Pointing that the CBI argued in the court that the "rich cannot send a wrong message to the society", Neelam allegedthat no importance was given to the argument by the agency.

"Don't the judges realise the pain of a mother who has lost her children? This judgement has no meaning for me, it can go to hell," she said, adding, "I trusted the judicial system for 18 years, but I am sorry to say that I don't trust it any more".

This came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 60 crore on Ansal brothers in connection with the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy case. The Ansal brothers were, however, not given any jail term.

As many as 59 people had lost their lives on June 13, 1997 when a fire was sparked by a faulty transformer during the screening of film Border at the Uphaar theatre. It led to mayhem and stampede, causing the loss of lives.

After a lengthy trial, brothers Sushil and Gopal Ansal were found guilty of "causing death by negligent" charge. A Delhi trial court awarded them two years' rigorous imprisonment in November 2007.

In December 2008, the Delhi High Court reduced the duo's sentences from two years to one year and they were granted bail by the Supreme Court on January 30, 2009.

On March 5, 2014, the Supreme Court had upheld the conviction of Ansal brothers, referring the matter for quantum of sentence to a three-judge bench due to difference of opinion.