This Article is From Dec 10, 2009

SC for guidelines to prevent Uphaar like tragedies

SC for guidelines to prevent Uphaar like tragedies
New Delhi: The Supreme Court wants to lay down guidelines to prevent Uphaar like fire tragedies. In the ongoing case related to payment of compensation to victims, the apex court said it wants to prevent such tragedies in future.

The court has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB), Ansals and the association of Uphaar victims to give their suggestions to prevent such mishaps in future.

The apex court has almost completed the hearing and has reserved its verdict on payment of compensation to Uphaar fire tragedy victims.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had directed the Ansals to pay 55 per cent of the compensation amount while MCD, DVB and DCP (licensing) were asked to pay 15 per cent each.

The Delhi High Court had also ordered a compensation of Rs 15 lakhs to the nearest kin of those who lost their lives in the tragedy, and Rs 1 lakh to those who were injured in the tragedy.

Fifty nine people were killed in June 1997 in the Uphaar fire tragedy in Delhi.

The Ansals, MCD and Delhi Police (licensing) have appealed in the Supreme Court against the High Court's verdict.

Now, the case for extending the scope to lay down guidelines to prevent future tragedies will be taken up next week.
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