Ambala, March 28
The Special Magistrate for CBI cases in Haryana, Mr A.K. Tyagi, today sentenced three persons to two years’ rigorous imprisonment in one of India’s worst fire tragedies at Dabwali, which had claimed 441 lives.

Mr Tyagi sentenced Kewal Krishan Dhamija, Rajendra Kumar and Devi Lal to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on them under Section 338. The sentences are to run concurrently.

According to written arguments on behalf of the CBI, function was to be organised by DAV Centenary Public School, Dabwali, on December 23, 1995, and the venue, Rajiv Marriage, Palace, was selected by the school.

Invitations were issued to various dignitaries and parents of school children. Rajiv Marriage Palace was to make arrangements for lighting school stage and cooking arrangements. Kewal Krishan Dhamija, Chander Bhan Dhamija and Om Prakash were partners of the marriage palace at the time of the function.

Rajender Kumar and Devi Lal were to make lighting arrangements under the supervision of Kewal and Chander, died during the course of the trial.

Chander and Kewal directed Rajendra Kumar and Devi Lal to further improve the fittings.

In the pandal, a stage was erected where children were to perform. Various lights were fitted in the pandal which was made up of one entry gate and small gate near with the stage.

The seating arrangement was for about 1,000 persons. Iron chairs with plastic “niwar” and plastic chairs were provided by the marriage palace.

During the programme, the pandal caught fire due to faulty and loose electrical connection and inflammable material. The PVC wires were of sub-standard quality.

The fire spread in no time and the PVC chairs started melting.

The fire was reported by the then SHO who was also present at the site of the incident.