New Delhi: Amid a controversy surrounding
the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict, the Madhya Pradesh Government
is taking legal opinion on whether it can re-investigate the
whole case, including the exit of then Union Carbide CEO
Warren Anderson.
It is also considering the possibility of filing a review
petition against dilution of charges against convicts in the
gas leak case.
"We have kept all options open. We can consider
re-investigation of the Bhopal gas leakage case. We are
discussing it with legal experts," Madhya Pradesh Chief
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told a news agency here.
He said there are questions about the escape of Anderson
and charges being diluted during trial which need to be
properly investigated.
Chouhan asked the then state Chief Minister Arjun Singh,
who has been facing questions over his alleged role in
facilitating the escape of Anderson, to break his silence and
speak the truth.
"Whatever happened on that fateful night was really
discouraging. The whole nation wants Singh to speak up and
clear people`s doubts on the issue," he said.
Chouhan said that his government is committed to bringing
justice to the families of victims and "will do anything" to
get justice.
On being asked about his views on the verdict, Chouhan
said, "There are certain issues like dilution of charges under
Section 304 amounting to culpable homicide which needs to be
looked into. Victims and millions of people expect answers on
it. The decision by the court is unsatisfactory. That is why
we have decided to approach High Court to appeal the lower
court`s decision."
The Chief Minister has written a letter to Singh asking
him come clear on how Anderson fled the country after the
tragedy in December 1984.
To a question regarding difference of opinion among
different political parties and leaders, he said, "It is
sad to note that certain people are playing politics on the
tragedy. Instead we should collectively make effort to bring
justice for the victims and people."
The state government has constituted a five-member
committee under the chairmanship of Additional Solicitor
General Vivek Tankha to look into the trial court judgement
and examine all legal aspects including any fresh evidence.
A Bhopal court has on June 8 convicted ex-Union Carbide
India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and six others and sentenced
them to two years imprisonment, nearly 26 years after world`s
worst industrial disaster left over 15,000 dead.
PTI
