PITIFUL JUSTICE

PITIFUL JUSTICE

The world’s worst industrial disaster, the Bhopal gas leak of December 3-4 1984, are brought to justice nearly 26 years later.

The families of the gas victims are bound to see the bhopal verdict as a cruvel joke on their patiencee and suffering.

The unconscionably delayed verdit also raised larger liability questions for industrial disassters, especially in the context of the civil laibility Nuclear Damages Bill. The Bhopal toll and consequences short- and long- term were horrific beyond precedent. The 4000 immediate deaths and tens of thousands disabled were the first Act of a heart rending saga that continues to take its toll to this day.

Thousands more have died from long-term exposure,not to mention children born with congenital defects and those falling sick from drinking water contaminated by the uncleared waste lying around the Carbide factory grounds. What the government has done for the generations of poor victims will go down in the annals of infamy. The survivors received an average compensation of less than Rs 15,000.

The vedict speaks volumesabout how the governments since 1984 ha e handled the gas disaster case and how India’s justice delivery system works. It is certinly a case of justice delayed and denied. Twenty six years of wait for a verdict of two years imprisonment is hardly punishment for the accused. It is a punished for the victims.

The government and industry fought over who was accountable for the gas disaster, the victims continued to suffer and their demand for rehabitation and medical care fell on deaf ears as did the one on review of their problems. Disasters will continue to occur, the nation will mourn,the media will mourn, the meda will be abuzz with news, an inestigation will be ordered compensation declared( and go undelivered) and the trial will on forever.

Prof.John Kurakar