High Court asks DAE to provide health guidelines for scientists

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New Delhi: The Bombay High Court today asked the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to provide details of health guidelines for its scientists and whether compensation is given to the families of those who die in the line of duty.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G S Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation filed by RTI activist Chetan Kothari seeking formation of a special investigating team (SIT) to probe the deaths of several nuclear scientists.

"Army officials and scientists... These people should be taken care of. In India, life expectancy is 70 years. Then there should be a reason why so many scientists are dying at the age of 50 itself. If this goes on, then my worry is that nobody will come to work here and the nation's interest will suffer," Chief Justice Chellur said.

The bench observed that while the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and the Atomic Energy Commission have filed affidavits in the petition, they are generic and do not explain the investigation and conclusion arrived at as to the reason of the deaths.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh today told the court that some of the scientists have died due to heart attacks and other ailments.

"Radiation in nuclear plants are below permissible levels. We provide healthcare facilities and so on," Singh said.

To this, Chief Justice Chellur said that the court was not questioning or criticising the department, but only raising concerns.

"We only want to know if the department is really paying attention and if everything is in order. Give us material to substantiate your statement," the court said.

(With Agency inputs)