New Delhi, June 13: The Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy in Delhi marks its 29th anniversary, yet the pain for families who lost loved ones remains as intense as ever. On this occasion, Neelam Krishnamurthy, president of the Uphaar Victims Association (AVUT), and general secretary Shekhar Krishnamurthy raised serious questions about fire safety regulations, the justice system, and administrative accountability in India.
Neelam Krishnamurthy expressed her disappointment in an interview, stating that it is unfortunate that nearly three decades later, there has been little significant change. She noted that if anything has changed, it is that the value of human life has diminished further. The responsibility for such tragedies lies not with a single individual or organization but with multiple government departments, primarily due to corruption.
She emphasized that India has adequate fire safety laws and building regulations. The issue lies in the failure to enforce these rules properly. Often, building owners and operators compromise on safety standards to save costs, putting the lives of ordinary people at risk.
Referring to the 600 million rupees paid by the Ansal brothers to the Delhi government, Neelam Krishnamurthy remarked that this payment was more of a reward than a punishment. She accused the Delhi government of shared responsibility, as officials from the Delhi Fire Service, DVB, MCD, and PWD are government employees. She pointed out that the Supreme Court had clearly instructed that this amount be used to establish a trauma center for the victims, with the Ansal brothers responsible for its construction and the land provided by DVB.
Neelam Krishnamurthy raised the issue of justice, stating that while people claim justice has been served, the reality is different. The court may have delivered a verdict, but delivering a verdict and providing justice are two distinct matters. In this country, victims often do not receive justice and continue to suffer repeatedly.
Meanwhile, AVUT general secretary Shekhar Krishnamurthy noted that nothing has changed since the Uphaar Cinema incident. He cited a recent fire in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, as an example of similar negligence. In both incidents, there was only one entrance and exit, trapping people due to smoke and suffocation. Local shopkeepers had to lay down mattresses to help those jumping from above.
He pointed out that fire brigades often arrive at the scene without adequate water, proper equipment, or sufficient personnel. Despite numerous major incidents over the past 30 years, there has been no significant improvement in the system.
Shekhar Krishnamurthy called for a separate and stringent law for man-made disasters. He insisted that such cases should carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with non-bailable offenses, and that trials should be concluded within two years.
He also questioned claims of justice, noting that families have waited for justice even after the deaths of 59 individuals. Years later, courts often state that people have aged, but this aging was not by choice; it was a life spent waiting for justice. He asked who keeps granting adjournments and why. If this continues, such tragedies will persist.
On June 13, 1997, a devastating fire broke out during a screening of the film ‘Border’ at Uphaar Cinema in Green Park, Delhi. This incident is regarded as one of the worst fire tragedies in India’s history, resulting in the loss of 59 lives and affecting hundreds more.
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