No clean chit to Amod Kanth in Uphaar case

A city court on Thursday issued summons against the Delhi Commission of Protection of Child Rights Chairman and IPS officer, Amod Kanth, in the Uphaar Cinema hall tragedy.

A city court on Thursday issued summons against the Delhi Commission of Protection of Child Rights Chairman and IPS officer, Amod Kanth, in the Uphaar Cinema hall tragedy.

HT Image

Rejecting the CBI’s clean chit, the court said there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Kanth, then Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police, as he allowed extra seats in the theatre’s balcony.

“Let the summons be issued against Amod Kanth for August 20,” Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjeev Kumar said. The court observed there was prima-facie evidence to prosecute Kanth under the Cinematograph Act.

In 1997, 59 people were killed due to asphyxiation inside the Uphaar cinema hall, as fire broke out due to short circuit in the air conditioners.

President of Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy Neelam Krishnamoorthy said, “Our stand has been vindicated. It was a long overdue decision against the errant officer.”