GoM Meeting: Law Ministry Recommends Fresh Efforts for Anderson’s Extradition

The Union Law Ministry has recommended renewed attempts to seek extradition of former Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson for facing trial in India for his role in the Bhopal gas tragedy, reported CNN-IBN.

The minister made this presentation before the Group of Ministers (GoM), which made for the second day today.

The ministry also recommended that the government should file a curative petition against the Supreme Court’s 1996 verdict diluting the charges against Indian accused, report said.

The ministry based its recommendations on the ground that the parent company, Union Carbide Corp, should be made liable for faulty design and operation of the Bhopal plant, said report citing sources.

The recommendation made on the curative petition also includes reviewing the punishment handed out to those convicted in the case, said report.

Though GoM has not taken any final decision on any of these recommendations so far, its members are reported to agree over taking them forward, said report.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said, “We have discussed all pending legal issues and all legal options that are available to the government after the judgement of the trial court.”

Earlier, the GoM was briefed by Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao on the circumstances and possibilities with regard to Anderson’s extradition.

Anderson, who came to India soon after the Bhopal gas leak tragedy, was arrested by the Madhya Pradesh government but surprisingly granted bail and released on December 7, 1984. He left India for USA the same day never to return.

A Bhopal court had on January 1, 1992 issued a notice for Anderson’s appearance before it. After Anderson failed to turn up, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against him.

In 2003, India sent an extradition request for Anderson to the US Justice Department, which rejected it in 2004. The last request for extradition by the External Affairs Ministry was made in September 2008.

(Based on internet reports)