The Delhi government on Tuesday recommended the rejection of a mercy petition filed before the President of India by Uphaar cinema tragedy convict Gopal Ansal.
"Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain rejected the mercy petition of Gopal Ansal after he received a representation from the families of the Uphaar victims," the Chief Minister's Media adviser Nagendar Sharma tweeted.
The bereaved families on Monday met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and urged him not to consider Gopal Ansal's plea, which was forwarded to the Lt. Governor and the Delhi government by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for recommendation.
Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) President Neelam Krishnamoorthy praised the Delhi government and tweeted -- quoting Sharma's tweet -- "(It) shows Delhi government cares for public safety".
The Supreme Court on February 9 sentenced Uphaar cinema owner Gopal Ansal to one-year jail for the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy that killed 59 during the screening of Hindi movie "Border".
His brother and co-accused Sushil Ansal was, however, let off with the sentence he had already served because of his old age and ailments.
Following the order, Gopal Ansal had filed a mercy petition before the President, which was forwarded to the MHA.
--IANS
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