Anderson Can Still Be Tried for Gas Tragedy: Moily

Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has said that Warren Anderson, chairman of the former Union Carbide, can still be tried for the Bhopal gas tragedy and that case against him is not closed, said media reports.

The minister said that chargesheet filed by the CBI had included Anderson.

“Accused should be present during charge-sheet…he has been declared an absconder…That does not mean the case is closed against him. He can be procured,” he was quoted as saying.

However, he made no remarks on Anderson being given safe passage by then Congress government in December 1984, days after the tragedy but used harsh words for former CBI officer BR Lall, reports said.

“The Investigating officer had power, he should have used it,” the minister was quoted as saying. “I hold CBI investigating officers responsible. They can’t become martyrs or saints after retirement. Today blaming others won’t take you anywhere.”

Lall earlier told a news channel that the investigating agency was asked by the central government to go soft on Warren Anderson.

Moily described the Bhopal tragedy case as one of ‘justice buried’ and said that the ‘anguish among people is natural. We need to take it further and bring it to a logical end.’

He said that it was time to revisit the whole process of judiciary, investigation and review the need for a comprehensive standalone law to deal with preventive action, punishment and compensation, said reports.

“It cannot be ad hoc,” the minister was quoted as saying.

(Based on internet reports)