New Delhi: Buoyed after procuring regular bail, Sushil and Gopal Ansal, convicted for their complicity in the 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy case, today sought release of their passports from a court, a plea which was opposed by the CBI on the ground of jurisdiction.

Ansal brothers, who were sentenced to two years jail term each for their criminal negligence leading to death of 59 people during the screening of a movie, moved an application before Additional Sessions Judge Justice Mamta Sehgal seeking release of the passports submitted during the trial.

Appearing for the real estate tycoons, their counsel Prem Kumar contended that since the Delhi High Court had not put any such condition while granting bail to them on January fourth, their documents should be returned.

"The conditioned bail order passed by this court after its verdict has now been superseded with the High Court granting them (Ansals) regular bail," the counsel submitted. Further, the passport is not a part of the court records and no purpose would be served by keeping them with the case papers as the matter has now been dealt with at the High Court, Kumar told the judge.

Opposing the plea of Ansal brothers, CBI's counsel Y K Saxena argued that the trial court now had no jurisdiction to entertain such applications as the case was now being contested at the Delhi High Court.

"This court has no power and jurisdiction to allow such plea as the case is now pending at the High Court," Saxena submitted, arguing the move lacked legality. After hearing the arguments of both the counsel, the court posted the matter to January 22 for deciding the application.

Source : PTI