Bhopal Tragedy: GoM likely to seek Anderson's extradition

New Delhi, June 20 (ANI): The Group of Ministers on the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy is likely to recommend filing of a curative petition in the Supreme Court to fix criminal liability, seeking extradition of former Union Carbine chief Warren Anderson, apart from measures to clean up the disaster site.

The panel held four rounds of meetings till Sunday.

The nine-member panel headed by Union Home Minister initiated the work on Friday and completed discussions in three days.

It is to submit its report to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday.

According to sources, the curative petition will focus on criminal liability of the accused and seek more stringent charges as the apex court had diluted the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section under culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the accused.

The panel also favoured approaching the United States to seek the extradition of Anderson to face trial in India in the Bhopal gas disaster case.

Sources said that the GoM is also likely to recommend the burying of contaminated soil at the site itself in a scientific manner.

The Madhya Pradesh Government would carry out the task for which the Central government will provide financial and technical assistance.

Briefing media, after the meeting Chidambaram said the GoM has covered all the subjects that were identified and is expected to submit its report to Prime Minister Singh tomorrow.

"The minutes are being drawn up. Tomorrow, the GoM will meet again to finalise the minutes -- finalise the recommendations and conclusions. I expect to send the report to the Prime Minister tomorrow afternoon," he said.

Chidambaram said the fourth and final session of the GoM today discussed remediation and environmental issues.

"Remediation of contaminated soil, contaminated water, the toxic waste that are at the site and the corroded plant, the corroded steel and other material," he said.

Reportedly, the GoM extensively discussed the issue of providing additional compensation to victims as the relief given so far was inadequate. (ANI)