The Supreme Court on Monday admitted petitions filed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Delhi police challenging a high court order asking them to pay Rs 2.26 crore each as compensation to the victims of the Uphaar cinema fire tragedy that claimed 59 lives in 1997.

A bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur also ordered status quo on the money deposited by the police and the civic body to the HC.

This would mean that the disbursal of the money to the victims would have to wait till further orders from the apex court.

Appearing for the MCD and the Delhi police, Additional Solicitor General Mukul Rohtagi with Sanjeev Sen contended that both petitioners have deposited their share of the compensation before the high court without prejudice to their right of appeal.

The Delhi high court on April 24 this year had awarded a compensation of over Rs 17 crore to the kin of those killed and injured in the Uphaar fire tragedy on June 13, 1997.

The high court had directed the owners of the theatre - Ansal Properties and Clubotel Ltd -- to pay 55 per cent of the total damages while asking the MCD, the Delhi Vindyut Board and the licencing authorities of the Delhi police to pay 15 per cent each for their negligence in maintaining public safety standards at the theatre.