Church 'disappointed' over verdict in world's worst industrial disaster

Church has expressed disappointment over the court verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy that has come under attack from all quarters for its mockery of justice.

Nearly 26 years after the world's worst industrial disaster, former Union Carbide India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and six others were Monday convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment in a judgement that came under severe criticism from the country's rights activists and lawyers.

"The judgement is absolutely disappointing. The victims had waited too long for a trial but now justice has been denied and culprits let scot-free. Church is gravely concerned by this," said Bhopal-based Fr Anand Muttangal, spokesperson of Madhya Pradesh Catholic Churches.

The catastrophic tragedy in Bhopal in 1984 killed an estimated 20,000 people and left over 5.69 lakhs with a range of injuries and disabilities.

Also called the "Hiroshima of the Chemical Industry", the tragedy took place at a Union Carbide pesticide plant when it accidentally released toxic gases into the air killing thousands instantly.

Monday's verdict, says Fr Muttungal, has underlined the need for amending the disaster laws in the country. "Several of our Indian laws are inefficient to deal with such incidents. The Government of India must frame new policies to speed up the investigation process and render justice to the victims."

Church, however, will not remain silent. Fr Muttungal told Christian Today that Christian organisations will take up the issue and will begin lobbying to bring out justice for the victims.

The Church, he pointed, has been "working very hard" for many years to ameliorate the plight of the survivors. He also noted that the real victims are yet to receive any benefits or compensation unlike those indirectly affected by the incident.

Law Minister M Veerappa Moily, meanwhile, has dubbed the court's verdict as an example of justice buried. He stressed the need for fast-tracking such cases and ensuring proper investigation.

Interestingly, all the eight accused were granted bail immediately after the verdict. The chief accused, chairman of Union Carbide parent group, Warren Anderson, however, has been absconding since the tragedy.

The international human rights group Amnesty International on Monday said the verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy is "too little, too late".

"These are historic convictions, but it is too little, too late. Twenty-five years is an unacceptable length of time for the survivors of the disaster and the families of the dead to have waited for a criminal trial to reach a conclusion," Amnesty director of global issues Audrey Gaughran said in a statement.

Amnesty urged the Indian and US governments to take the next step by bringing the US-based Union Carbide Corporation to justice.