The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over real estate baron and convict in Uphaar fire tragedy case Sushil Ansal leaving the country without taking its permission.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam said the case is pending in the Supreme Court and he should not have left the country without its permission.
“Our grievance is that they (Ansal and his lawyers) know the matter is still pending and he did not take the apex court in confidence before leaving the country,” the bench said.
The bench, however, allowed Ansal to stay in the US for medical treatment after senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, appearing for Ansal, gave an assurance that he will return on April 11.
The bench was hearing an application filed by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Fire Tragedy (AVUT) seeking to restrict the right of Sushil Ansal to travel abroad on medical grounds without its permission.
AVUT contended that since Ansals have been convicted by the apex court, they cannot leave the country without the permission of the top court.
The apex court on March 5, held Ansals guilty in the 1997 tragedy, saying they were more interested about making money than ensuring safety of the cine-goers.