Uphaar cinema hall owners , Sushil and Gopal Ansal, were sentenced to a two-year jail term each in the Uphaar fire tragedy case on, Friday, even as a court here ordered a fresh CBI inquiry against the then DCP (licensing) and some other government officials.

The Ansal brothers, convicted for causing death by negligent act, were granted bail soon after their sentencing by Additional Sessions Judge Mamta Sehgal. Fresh CBI inquiry was directed against the then DCP (Licensing) Amod Kanth and other public servants for their alleged role in allowing the Uphaar cinema theatre to run. Seven other convicts, held guilty for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, were handed down seven years rigorous imprisonment. The other three, convicted for offence similar to that of Ansal brothers, were also sentenced to two years jail term each but were granted bail. It had on November 20 convicted all 12 accused in the 1997 case of Uphaar fire tragedy which claimed 59 lives.  Seven others—Radha Krishan Sharma, N S Chopra, Ajit Chowdhary (Uphaar managers), Manmohan Unniyal (cinema’s gatekeeper), Brij Mohan Satija, A K Gera and Bir Singh (all DVB officials)— were taken into custody immediately. The three DVB officials had installed an electricity transformer in the building in violation of norms. A spark in this transformer had caused the fire which engulfed the cinema on June 13 1997.

The court granted bail to the Ansal brothers on furnishing a personal and a surety bond of Rs 25,000 each in the case.  MCD officials S S Sharma and N D Tiwari and Delhi Fire Service staff H S Panwar, however, were granted bail on a personal and surety bond of Rs 6,000 each.