29 years after the Uphaar tragedy, the victims’ association says no lessons have been learned

People pay tribute on the 29th anniversary of the Uphaar cinema tragedy at the Uphaar cinema in New Delhi on June 13, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

On the 29th anniversary of the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy, the Uphaar Tragedy Victims Association (AVUT) on Saturday renewed its demand for stricter liability in cases of negligence leading to loss of life, saying that repeated fires in Delhi show that no lessons have been learned.

According to a statement, the association organized the annual havan and shanti journey at Green Park opposite the former Uphaar Cinema to remember the 59 people who died in the fire on June 13, 1997 and injured in one of the country’s worst cinema disasters.

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AVUT president Neelam Krishnamoorthy said in a statement that while some improvements have been made in fire safety norms over the years, implementation and enforcement are still weak.

The association said recent fires, including a fire at a Malviyanagar residential facility that killed 23 people, highlighted ongoing concerns about safety breaches and failures of regulatory oversight.

“These incidents reveal a worrying pattern where security breaches are overlooked and often no objection certificates are issued without proper review,” the statement said.

AVUT argued that negligence, corruption and weak enforcement continued to undermine public safety and called for a comprehensive law to specifically address man-made disasters caused by violations of safety standards.

The proposed legislation, she said, should ensure speedy investigations, special courts, time-limited trials and stiffer penalties for those found responsible for acts or omissions leading to loss of life.

“The existing legal framework has not proven to be sufficient to deter those who put profits over human lives,” the association said.

Remembering the victims, Krishnamoorthy said the families affected by the tragedy continue to seek accountability nearly three decades later.

“As we honor the memory of the 59 victims who lost their lives, we renew our commitment to fight for transparency, accountability and public safety,” she said in a statement.

The Uphaar cinema fire left 59 dead and more than 100 injured, sparking a prolonged legal battle between victims’ families and raising questions about fire safety standards and preparedness in public spaces.

Published – 13 Jun 2026 17:18 IST