June 7, 2010
Verdict Expected in Bhopal Criminal Case
Eight on Trial for “Death by Negligence;” Government Refused to Extradite former Carbide Chairman
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Bhopal, India (HNN) – Twenty five years after over 25,000 people perished in the 1984 Union Carbide lethal leak of MIC in Bhopal, an Indian court will rule Monday, June 7 on whether the leak constituted a criminal act.
However, survivors of those killed when the gas leaked Dec. 2-3, 1984 are not happy. During the generation plus, Union Carbide sold the plant to Dow Chemical. They want India’s prime minister to create a special prosecution for “effective and timely action on the extradition of foreign accused” particularly Union Carbide’s former chairman Warren Anderson.
“Justice will be done in Bhopal only if the individuals and corporations responsible for the deaths of over 25,000 people and toxic exposure and damage to over half a million are punished,” said Rashida Bee, leader of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh in a Thaindian News interview.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation charged Union Carbide Corporation, Union Carbide (India) Limited, Union Carbide (Eastern) Hong Kong, UCC Chairman Warren Anderson and eight Indian officials. However, only the Indian officials and Union Carbide (India) Limited have faced trial in Bhopal over the tragedy. Originally, they were charged with “culpable homicide not amounting to murder.” If convicted, the accused could face up to ten years in prison. However in 1996 India’s Supreme Court reduced the charges to “death by negligence,” which carries a maximum sentence of two years.
Although gas victims and survivors have continued to demand that the others be brought to India, the government has not extradited Anderson from the United States.
Twenty year ago Carbide paid the Indian government $470 million to settle all claims. Dow Chemicals which took over the company in 1999 said that agreement resolved existing and future claims.
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Verdict Expected in Bhopal Criminal Case
Eight on Trial for “Death by Negligence;” Government Refused to Extradite former Carbide Chairman
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Bhopal, India (HNN) – Twenty five years after over 25,000 people perished in the 1984 Union Carbide lethal leak of MIC in Bhopal, an Indian court will rule Monday, June 7 on whether the leak constituted a criminal act.
However, survivors of those killed when the gas leaked Dec. 2-3, 1984 are not happy. During the generation plus, Union Carbide sold the plant to Dow Chemical. They want India’s prime minister to create a special prosecution for “effective and timely action on the extradition of foreign accused” particularly Union Carbide’s former chairman Warren Anderson.
“Justice will be done in Bhopal only if the individuals and corporations responsible for the deaths of over 25,000 people and toxic exposure and damage to over half a million are punished,” said Rashida Bee, leader of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh in a Thaindian News interview.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation charged Union Carbide Corporation, Union Carbide (India) Limited, Union Carbide (Eastern) Hong Kong, UCC Chairman Warren Anderson and eight Indian officials. However, only the Indian officials and Union Carbide (India) Limited have faced trial in Bhopal over the tragedy. Originally, they were charged with “culpable homicide not amounting to murder.” If convicted, the accused could face up to ten years in prison. However in 1996 India’s Supreme Court reduced the charges to “death by negligence,” which carries a maximum sentence of two years.
Although gas victims and survivors have continued to demand that the others be brought to India, the government has not extradited Anderson from the United States.
Twenty year ago Carbide paid the Indian government $470 million to settle all claims. Dow Chemicals which took over the company in 1999 said that agreement resolved existing and future claims.
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Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
