38.6c New Delhi, India, Monday, August 25, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

After Hearing For 16 Years, Supreme Court Reserves Meerut Fire Tragedy Case For Judgment

By AKSHAT BHAT      25 March, 2022 02:49 PM      0 Comments
Supreme Court Reserves Meerut Fire Tragedy Case

A Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Hement Gupta and Ramasubramanian has reserved judgement in a petition brought by relatives of victims of the 2006 Meerut fire disaster. After 16 years, the case has been reserved for judgement.

It should be emphasised that throughout the hearing, two one-man commissions were appointed. Justice (retired) OP Garg was appointed by the state of Uttar Pradesh as a one-man committee to investigate the disaster. The Supreme Court, however, replaced him in 2014 with Justice (retired) SB Sinha.

Shanti Bhushan, a senior advocate and former Law Minister, continued his remarks today, claiming that there was no specific evidence to determine how the fire originated and that the event planners could not be held liable in these circumstances.

Bhushan, who was representing Mrinal Event Managing Corporation, contended that the company should not be held liable.

Referring to the order passed by the Supreme Court directing the event organisers to deposit a sum of Rs.30 lakhs, he said,  How much will they have to suffer? They have already suffered enough.

Justice Hemant Gupta at this point interjected Bhushan and questioned,
What about the suffering of those who perished in the fire?

Bhushan elected not to respond to this question. It was also argued that just the event managers were imprisoned, and that no one else was held guilty or imprisoned as a result of the incident.

Bhushan contended that the Justice SB Sinha committee's findings are not binding on the court because it was a State-appointed commission rather than a judicial one. He also claimed that the Supreme Court, in an order dated July 31, 2014, simply substituted Justice Sinha's name for Justice Garg, who was appointed by the State.

The Meerut fire catastrophe occurred on April 10, 2006, on the final day of Mrinal Events & Expositions' India Brand Consumer Show in Victoria Park. According to accounts, a short circuit at the venue produced a fire that killed 60 individuals. According to media accounts, the fire spread through a consumer show in Victoria Park, and almost 2000 people were present at the time of the fire. There was also a stampede-like situation as a result of the occurrence. According to media accounts, despite being arrested by the local police, the event organisers fled and never appeared in court.

Sanjay Gupta, who had lost five members of his family in the incident, filed the current case in 2006. The plea was entered on the grounds that the State's investigation into the tragedy was improperly conducted. Justice (retired) OP Garg of the Allahabad High Court was appointed by the then-Uttar Pradesh government as a one-man committee. The report's findings, however, were challenged by the organisers, who claimed that they were not heard.

By order dated July 31, 2014, the Supreme Court designated Justice (retired) SB Sinha as the one-man commission to investigate the subject. The state was ordered to pay Rs.5 lakhs to the legal representatives of the deceased, Rs.2 lakhs to those who were gravely injured, and Rs.75,000/- to those who had lesser injuries by the same judgement.

On hearing the parties, the court adjourned the matter for decision after 16 years and allowed the parties to offer brief written statements.

Bhushan had yesterday argued that the victims have already been paid enough compensation and said How much more do they want?



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-restores-mandatory-20-percent-deposit-for-suspension-of-sentence-in-cheque-bounce-case
Trending Judiciary
SC Restores Mandatory 20% Deposit for Suspension of Sentence in Cheque Bounce Case [Read Order]

SC sets aside P&H HC order; rules 20% deposit mandatory for suspension of sentence in ₹8.65 crore cheque bounce case under NI Act.

25 August, 2025 12:35 PM
18-former-judges-write-to-union-home-minister-amit-shah-criticizing-his-remarks-on-justice-b-sudershan-reddy
Trending Judiciary
18 Former Judges write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, criticizing his remarks on Justice B Sudershan Reddy

18 ex-judges write to Union HM Amit Shah, criticizing his remarks on Justice B Sudershan Reddy, stressing judicial independence and dignity.

25 August, 2025 03:09 PM

TOP STORIES

sc-dismisses-plea-by-aap-mp-sanjay-singh-against-up-govts
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses plea by AAP MP Sanjay Singh against UP govt's decision to 'close' 105 primary schools

SC dismisses AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s plea against UP govt decision to close 105 primary schools; directs him to approach Allahabad HC.

19 August, 2025 11:02 AM
sc-grants-bail-to-ex-wb-minister-in-teachers-recruitment-scam
Trending Judiciary
SC grants bail to ex WB Minister in teachers recruitment scam

SC grants bail to ex-WB Minister Partha Chatterjee in teachers’ recruitment scam, citing long incarceration; directs speedy trial in pending cases.

19 August, 2025 11:15 AM
calcutta-hc-grants-injunction-to-captain-gogo-trademark-owner-against-multiple-infringers
Trending Judiciary
CALCUTTA HC GRANTS INJUNCTION TO ‘CAPTAIN GOGO’ TRADEMARK OWNER AGAINST MULTIPLE INFRINGERS [Read Order]

Calcutta HC grants injunction to Moondust Paper Pvt Ltd, protecting its ‘Captain Gogo’ trademark against multiple infringers in smoking products.

19 August, 2025 11:20 AM
himachal-pradesh-hc-grants-pre-arrest-bail-to-industrialist-in-intimidation-case
Trending Judiciary
Himachal Pradesh HC Grants Pre-Arrest Bail to Industrialist in Intimidation Case [Read Order]

Himachal Pradesh HC grants pre-arrest bail to industrialist accused of intimidating pollution officer, says allegations don’t amount to stalking under BNS.

19 August, 2025 11:52 AM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email