While Sushil, 76, had spent over five months in prison, 67-year-old Gopal was in jail for over four months immediately after the tragedy.
The bench rejected the submissions of senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for CBI, that the convicts be sent to jail to serve the remaining jail term. "My instruction from CBI is to press for their custody," Salve said, when the court sought his views.
Senior advocate KTS Tulsi, who represented the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy, also said that the convicts not only be jailed, but rather their punishment should be enhanced.
The Supreme Court's verdict excusing the Ansals from bail has been challenged by the CBI, which investigated the case, as well as a group of those who lost their relatives in the fire.