Modifying its order, the Supreme Court today said real estate barons Ansal brothers will undergo a two-year rigorous jail term in the Uphaar fire case if they fail to pay Rs.30 crore each within three months.     

Earlier in its verbal order, the court had on Aug 19said Sushil, 76, and Gopal Ansal, 67, should pay a fine of Rs 30 crore each within three months and restricted their jail term to the period already undergone by them in view of their advanced age.     

The judgement had received a lot of flak, especially from the association of victims of Uphhar cinema fire tragedy in which 59 people had died 18 years ago. However, the written order, which was posted on the court's website today, has restored the two-year rigorous jail term awarded by the trial court to the brothers with a condition that the punishment can be reduced to the period already undergone if they would pay Rs 30 crore each within three months.    

"For the reasons to be recorded hereafter, we direct that Sushil Ansal and Gopal Ansal shall stand sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years.     

"However, having regard to advanced age of the accused and other peculiar facts and circumstances, if they pay Rs 30 crore each, ie Rs 60 crore, then the sentence will stand reduced to the period already undergone," a bench comprising Justices A R Dave,Kurian Joseph and Adarsh Kumar Goel said.