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Uphaar fire tragedy: Chronology of events November 20, 2007 14:46 IST Following is the chronology of events in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case: June 13, 1997: 59 people die of asphyxia in Uphaar cinema hall fire, which broke out during screening of Hindi movie Border. Over hundred persons receive injuries in the subsequent stampede. July 22, 1997: Theatre owner Sushil and his son Pranav Ansal arrested in Mumbai by the crime branch of Delhi police. July 24, 1997: Probe transferred from Delhi police to the CBI. November 15, 1997: CBI files chargesheet against 16 accused including theatre owners-- Sushil and Gopal Ansal. March 10, 1999: A sessions court presided by L D Malik initiates trial. February 27, 2001: Court frames charges against accused under various sections including 304 (culpable homicide), 304 A (causing death by negligent act) and 337 (hurt) of the IPC. May 23, 2001: Recording of prosecution witnesses' testimony begins. April 4, 2002: High court asks trial court to try to wrap up the case by December 15. January 27, 2003: Ansals' plea seeking re-possession of the theatre rejected on the ground that place of incident is to be preserved to appreciate evidence. April 24, 2003: The Delhi high court awards Rs 18 crore compensation to be paid to the relatives of victims. September 4, 2004: Court starts recording statements of accused. November 5, 2005: Recording of testimonies of defence witnesses begins. August 2, 2006: Court concludes recording of testimony of defence witnesses. August 9, 2006: ASJ Mamta Sehgal inspects the theatre. February 14, 2007: Accused start advancing final arguments. August 21, 2007: Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy approaches Delhi high court seeking conclusion of trial August 20, 2007: Senior advocate Harish Salve appears for CBI and advances final arguments. August 21, 2007: Judgement reserved. Court fixes September 5 for pronouncement of verdict. September 5, 2007: Court defers pronouncement of verdict and says it would fix the date of judgement on October 22. October 22, 2007: Court fixes November 20 as the date of verdict. November 20, 2007: Court convicts all 12 accused including theatre owners Sushil and Gopal Ansal in the case. The qunatum of punishment to be pronounced on Wednesday.
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