Bhopal Gas Tragedy: CPI-M demands extradition of Anderson

Bhopal, New Delhi, June 10 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (CPI-M) activists took out a protest march here on Thursday to pressurize the Central Government to extradite Warren Anderson, the chairman of Union Carbide Worldwide, in connection with the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Wielding placards and banners, the activists demanded the Government of India to take up the case with the United States.

"25 years after the judgement was delivered two years of sentence was given. The main company involved was allowed to go scot-free. It is a betrayal of the people of the country. We want our government to put pressure on America to extradite Warren Anderson," said Shailendra Shelly, a CPI-M leader.

"Measures should be taken to punish him according to Indian laws. If America refuses to comply, then India should suspend ongoing strategic dialogue with America," he added.

Meanwhile, a similar protest was staged in New Delhi today.

Apart from denouncing the verdict that awarded meager punishment to the culprits, the protesters condemned the attitude of the Indian government in handling the case.

"Warren Anderson should be brought back and all in the government who are soft on him should also be tried. Communist party demands probe into the case afresh and we are thinking of moving court," said CPI-M leader Shailendra Shelly.

Union Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday said the case against Anderson in connection with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy was not closed.

"As far as Anderson is concerned, the case is not closed. The CBI has filed charge sheet. There is one person here, who has not responded to the summons or replied to the charges. He has absconded and was declared a proclaimed offender," said Moily.

On Monday, a District Magistrate"s Court in Bhopal had convicted all eight accused on grounds of negligence under Section 304 (a) for the tragedy.

The court also granted bail to seven of the eight accused and released them on submission of a bond and a surety of Rs 25,000 each.

The eight accused are Keshub Mahendra, Vijay Gokhle, Kishore Kamdar, J Mukund, S P Choudhary, K V Shetty and S I Qureshi and R B Roy Choudhary.

Out of the accused R B Roy Choudhary, then former Assistant Works Manager Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL), Mumbai, died during the trial.

Warren Anderson, the chairman of Union Carbide Worldwide, has been designated as absconder. (ANI)