Bhopal tragedy: Pranab defends Arjun Singh's decision to release Anderson

New Delhi, June 13 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday defended former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh's decision to release Warren Anderson, then chairman of the Union Carbide, who was responsible for the Bhopal gas tragedy.

"It is clear in Arjun Singh's statement, which he had made then that law and order situation was deteriorating. People frenzy was on high, therefore it was thought necessary to move out Warren Anderson," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee's statement comes at a time when the Congress is under pressure to explain reasons that led to Anderson's release.

Anderson was arrested on 7 December 1984 when the deadly methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak from Union Carbide's Bhopal plant.

The gas leakage had killed thousands of people just five days ago.

Singh is believed to have ordered to release Anderson but opposition parties allege that he was instructed to do so by the Central Government led by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Anderson was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, grievous assault and killing and poisoning human beings and animals. (ANI)