The Uphaar Tragedy case again came up for hearing in front of the Supreme Court on March 20, and senior advocate Ram Jethmalani’s plea for a review on the verdict of a review petition was turned down.

The accused, Gopal Ansal, was asked by the court to surrender by March 20 evening. The plea of the petitioner was varied.

Jethmalani pleaded: “The trial court convicted my client and sentenced him to two years in prison. The high court upheld it. I have practised law for several years. The maximum fine a magistrate can impose is Rs 10,000 but a Rs 50 crore fine was imposed on me.”

Jethmalani further pleaded on his client’s behalf: “I have already paid more than Rs 10 crore in a civil suit. I was said to surrender in 10 days. It is a grave injustice. I request only to give 3-4 days to surrender.”

The Chief Justice of India, JS Khehar, was not moved. He said the petitioner should go to the president. “Sorry we decline.”

—By India Legal Bureau