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Trial by Fire: The Tragic Tale of the Uphaar Fire Tragedy
At 4:55 p.m., a swirling mass of thick, smoke engulfed the balcony section a well-known cinema hall in posh south Delhi. In the absence of fire exits and ushers to help the patrons, the people seated on the balcony found themselves trapped. By 7 p.m., fifty-nine people had died.
Among these were Unnati and Ujjwal. Their parents, Neelam and Shekhar, decided to fight the prolonged battle to ensure their kids get justice, for they saw no other reason to live. It's been twenty-one years now, since the fire. But their fight with justice, for justice continues. This is their story.
Among these were Unnati and Ujjwal. Their parents, Neelam and Shekhar, decided to fight the prolonged battle to ensure their kids get justice, for they saw no other reason to live. It's been twenty-one years now, since the fire. But their fight with justice, for justice continues. This is their story.
264 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 1, 2017
A severe indictment of the Indian judicial system, this is indeed a story that must be told. And it has been spectacularly told, covering so many aspects that it feels like a lesson in legalese. To remain optimistic after reading this is the real challenge!
That the authors have not only gone through a traumatic period losing both their children and fighting for justice, but have steadfastly remained focussed without wallowing in self pity or giving into cynicism, is proof of their mettle. As they offer suggestions to improve the legal system to protect victims, I couldn't help being astonished by the hope that they still carry, after facing untold agony.
Every Indian citizen must read this as it prepares one well if, god forbid, there is a need to knock on the doors of a court.
However, the editor could have been a lot stricter as the editorial oversights and frequent repetition of certain phrases and ideas are a bit jarring. But that is a minor irritant in an otherwise well written book.
That the authors have not only gone through a traumatic period losing both their children and fighting for justice, but have steadfastly remained focussed without wallowing in self pity or giving into cynicism, is proof of their mettle. As they offer suggestions to improve the legal system to protect victims, I couldn't help being astonished by the hope that they still carry, after facing untold agony.
Every Indian citizen must read this as it prepares one well if, god forbid, there is a need to knock on the doors of a court.
However, the editor could have been a lot stricter as the editorial oversights and frequent repetition of certain phrases and ideas are a bit jarring. But that is a minor irritant in an otherwise well written book.
February 5, 2023
A gut-wrenching account, by a devastated mother... makes one question the whole point of human existence... but then, it also resuscitates the reader's almost dead faith in humanity!
A captivating read!
A captivating read!
January 8, 2023
I'm still reeling from a feeling of sadness and helplessness after I read this book yesterday 😔.
February 4, 2023
I read the book right after finishing the Web Series. The Web Series brought out grief and anger. While the book carries the same emotions, as I read the book and see the callousness of the Indian Legal system, I salute the resolve of the Krishnamoorthys in sticking to their chosen arduous path of seeking redressal only through the system, not even through the media or protests.
The book throws up numbers which are apalling- an Elephant was awarded more compensation that the Uphaar families!
Again the change in stance by Team Ansals- refusing to pay 1 lakh as Committee fees and jumping to pay 60 Crore to stay out of jail.
This book is a must read.
And for the aggrieved families who's injury was compounded by the insult of injustice, all I can offer them as solace is,
"The Mills of God grind slow,
But they grind exceedingly small."
The whole nation will waiting for that to happen to the Ansals.
The book throws up numbers which are apalling- an Elephant was awarded more compensation that the Uphaar families!
Again the change in stance by Team Ansals- refusing to pay 1 lakh as Committee fees and jumping to pay 60 Crore to stay out of jail.
This book is a must read.
And for the aggrieved families who's injury was compounded by the insult of injustice, all I can offer them as solace is,
"The Mills of God grind slow,
But they grind exceedingly small."
The whole nation will waiting for that to happen to the Ansals.
June 8, 2024
In this time of Netflix and Chill, OTTs and glorification of staying in rather than heading out, especially after the impact of COVID-19, many of us might have forgotten the thrill and excitement of watching our favourite flick in a movie theatre. And to take you further down the memory lane, do you remember purchasing tickets in a box office (pre-BookMyShow period) and attending shows in a single screen theatre. If you’re a Boomer or a 90s kid like me, you may even recall the clink of glass bottles of Campa Cola and the crunch of exalted salted peanuts, the real baap of today’s pricey popcorn buckets.
But what happens when in the middle of the show of the movie for which you’ve waited for ages and fought tooth and nail for the tickets, things go awry. The hall buzzing with music and laughter starts reverberating with shrieks of panic and cries for help. The hustle to find seats turns to the struggle to find an exit. This is a story of one such landmark tragedies in the history of India - the Uphaar Fire Tragedy.
“Trial By Fire” by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy
This book by parents of Unnati (17) and Ujwal Krishnamoorthy (13) who lost their lives in the Uphaar Fire Tragedy isn’t one with a happy or hopeful ending. But you should read it nevertheless for the sake of truth.
These two kids, along with 57 other hapless victims of the fire incident at Uphaar Cinema on June 13, 1997 only wanted to catch the long awaited patriotic extravaganza ‘Border’ but due to repeated and obstinate negligence and greed by Theatre authorities and DVB, end up getting locked in the balcony of the Movie Hall in a raging fire, with zero ventilation. Many run to the toilet complex, others to terrace and some even jump through the windows to save their lives. But not everyone is able to make it. 59 lives are lost and many families are destroyed.
This is the story of Neelam and Shekhar and AVUT (Association of The Victims of Uphaar Tragedy) who have fought a legal battle for almost two decades, fighting the judicial and civil system in a bid to get justice, vindication and to raise the value of human lives. The authors may come across as somber, depressed or even whiny at some points but their courage and perseverance is remarkable. And more remarkable than that is the insight with which they have observed and summarised the justice system of India. The book was definitely a slow read but the takeaways are too many to miss it. I’d specially mention the last chapter of the book where authors give very valuable suggestions and insights into the reality of justice system.
So if you’re a part of the judicial or civil or police administration, here’s a book I highly recommend.
Rating 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
PS : Call it a coincidence but I was 7 and in Delhi at my Nani’s place for the summer vacations and this is the movie we had planned to watch. I very vividly remember how massi brought the news of fire at Uphaar while returning from work. The memory of sudden sadness and despair is still etched in my brain. Destiny has its many ways.
PSS : After reading this, the song 'Sandese aate hain' will never ever be the same for you.
But what happens when in the middle of the show of the movie for which you’ve waited for ages and fought tooth and nail for the tickets, things go awry. The hall buzzing with music and laughter starts reverberating with shrieks of panic and cries for help. The hustle to find seats turns to the struggle to find an exit. This is a story of one such landmark tragedies in the history of India - the Uphaar Fire Tragedy.
“Trial By Fire” by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy
This book by parents of Unnati (17) and Ujwal Krishnamoorthy (13) who lost their lives in the Uphaar Fire Tragedy isn’t one with a happy or hopeful ending. But you should read it nevertheless for the sake of truth.
These two kids, along with 57 other hapless victims of the fire incident at Uphaar Cinema on June 13, 1997 only wanted to catch the long awaited patriotic extravaganza ‘Border’ but due to repeated and obstinate negligence and greed by Theatre authorities and DVB, end up getting locked in the balcony of the Movie Hall in a raging fire, with zero ventilation. Many run to the toilet complex, others to terrace and some even jump through the windows to save their lives. But not everyone is able to make it. 59 lives are lost and many families are destroyed.
This is the story of Neelam and Shekhar and AVUT (Association of The Victims of Uphaar Tragedy) who have fought a legal battle for almost two decades, fighting the judicial and civil system in a bid to get justice, vindication and to raise the value of human lives. The authors may come across as somber, depressed or even whiny at some points but their courage and perseverance is remarkable. And more remarkable than that is the insight with which they have observed and summarised the justice system of India. The book was definitely a slow read but the takeaways are too many to miss it. I’d specially mention the last chapter of the book where authors give very valuable suggestions and insights into the reality of justice system.
So if you’re a part of the judicial or civil or police administration, here’s a book I highly recommend.
Rating 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
PS : Call it a coincidence but I was 7 and in Delhi at my Nani’s place for the summer vacations and this is the movie we had planned to watch. I very vividly remember how massi brought the news of fire at Uphaar while returning from work. The memory of sudden sadness and despair is still etched in my brain. Destiny has its many ways.
PSS : After reading this, the song 'Sandese aate hain' will never ever be the same for you.
February 12, 2023
An ordeal
In Silence, the heart definitely goes out for the AVUT and victims of Uphaar Tragedy, The book is a very courageous attempt to elucidate and pen down an ordeal which asks so many questions to us as a society for what kind of justice should prevail.
In Silence, the heart definitely goes out for the AVUT and victims of Uphaar Tragedy, The book is a very courageous attempt to elucidate and pen down an ordeal which asks so many questions to us as a society for what kind of justice should prevail.
November 21, 2023
Great tale of a courageous Mother who undertook a great battle. The resilience, the frustration, sadness, helplessness and willingness to keep going gives us a perspective of a middle class parent.
Also India's judicial system and how it favours the wealthy is as but true.
Must read for all
Also India's judicial system and how it favours the wealthy is as but true.
Must read for all
Read
May 25, 2023The book is a gripping narrative of the Uphar Fire tragedy and its aftermath. It is an eye opener about public safety rules/ regulations and the struggles of a common man who wants to seek justice.
September 20, 2024
” I regret having pursued the Uphaar case so vigoursly for 19 years. I should have just shot those responsible for the deaths of my children and the 57 others. I would have pleaded insanity, exactly what the Ansals’ counsel accuses me of. By now, I would have finished serving my sentence as well…” – Neelam Krishnamoorthy (Mother of Ujjawal (13) & Unnati (17) who lost their lives in the 1997 Uphaar fire incident. For more than 23 years she and the families of the victims fought for justice for their loved ones, Justice that was not served. )
The judicial system of our country is a joke for an honest common man. I felt the anguish rising within me like a volcano while reading the book, I can’t even begin to imagine what Neelam ma’am and Shekhar sir must have gone through for more than 2 decades, along with the families of 57 others who perished in the tragic incident. Had those greedy rich monsters, the Ansals(owner of the Uphaar movie theatre), taken care of the fire safety measures on time, these beautiful souls would have been alive today. But for the Ansals, people’s lives held no value in front of their insatiable hunger for money and wealth. They absolutely have no remorse of pushing the lives of so many families into a never-ending nightmare.
The way the legal proceedings happened, delayed and dragged for more than 2 decades, and the Ansals escaped the appropriate punishment just because they had the money and power and the influence, I have lost my faith in the justice system of our country entirely. This country failed the Krishnamoorthys and the families of the deceased. Some family members passed away waiting for justice, it’s a shame. Shame on each and everyone, who had it in their hands, to implement measures for avoiding similar accidents by enforcing laws, to appropriately penalize the guilty and the accused so that no one in future would have the guts to put their personal gains over someone's life. Shame on them for doing absolutely nothing. Shame !!
.Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews