The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked real estate barons Gopal and Sushil Ansal to seek prior permission of the court before leaving India. With the duo undergoing punishment in the Uphaar Cinema fire that claimed 59 lives, the victims of the tragedy had approached court to restrain the Ansals from travelling abroad as the appeal on their sentence is yet to be decided by apex court.
Fixing the appeal on their sentence for hearing in July, a bench headed by Justice BS Chauhan on Tuesday directed the Ansal brothers to inform the court next time they required to leave the country. As the duo have been convicted for causing death due to negligence leading to the fire tragedy in June 1997, the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy had apprehended that the Ansals may escape the country till their appeal against the sentence was pending consideration before the Supreme Court. Ansals had claimed permission to travel to USA for medical treatment in March this year soon after difference of opinion on sentence between two SC judges forced the matter to be referred to a three-judge bench.