Uphaar Tragedy Co-owner Faces New Passport Fraud Charges: Delhi Court Directs Trial

In a significant development that adds another layer to the long-running legal saga surrounding the Uphaar cinema tragedy, a Delhi court has now paved the way for charges to be framed against Sushil Ansal, one of the hall's owners. This particular case, while separate from the devastating fire itself, revolves around allegations of passport fraud.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Nabeela Wali issued the directive, highlighting that there's indeed 'prima facie' evidence—enough to suggest a case worth pursuing—against Ansal. The accusations are quite serious: he's alleged to have obtained a passport back in 2007 by furnishing false residential information. It seems the court isn't just looking at a minor discrepancy here; they've emphasized the 'severity of the offence' and the 'meticulous planning' that appears to have gone into it.

Specifically, the charges are set to be framed under Section 12 of the Passport Act, 1967, which deals with obtaining a passport by suppressing material information or using false documents, and also under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), pertaining to cheating. Imagine, this was all allegedly happening while Ansal was already facing legal proceedings in connection with the Uphaar fire tragedy, a harrowing event that claimed 59 lives in 1997.

Naturally, Ansal's legal counsel, during their arguments, contended that the whole affair was merely an 'irregularity' and not a deliberate act of fraud. They probably tried to paint it as a simple oversight, perhaps. However, the court remained unconvinced. The magistrate firmly stated that it was 'a clear case of misrepresentation,' unequivocally rejecting the defense's attempt to downplay the matter.

This decision means that Sushil Ansal will now have to stand trial on these new charges, adding another complex chapter to his legal battles. It serves as a potent reminder that the pursuit of justice, even years after the initial events, can often uncover new threads of alleged wrongdoing.