Press
Briefing Wednesday, 9th June 2010
Smt.
Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.
On the question of verdict on Bhopal gas tragedy and
whether Anderson was allowed to let go, Smt. Natarajan
said that it is a very important and very tragic
incident not just in Indian history but in the world
history. 26 years ago, the worst such incident in the
world which happened very unfortunately on our own soil
and we still feel the impact which will continue to be
felt by the generations to come. It should be our
endeavour and will be our endeavour to ensure strain
every nerve to ensure that any such accident does not
ever happen in future.
To another question on the role of the CBI in the entire
matter, Smt. Natarajan said that it was such a tragic
incident and said that now all our attention should be
directed towards what more can be done to rehabilitate
the victims. There are also reports from the then
Director of CBI that no such instructions were received
from the Union or State Government. 26 years down the
road, it is important to ensure that there is clarity on
taking action within the framework of what is possible
now. There have been court judgments, there have been
charge-sheet filed by the CBI and there have been court
judgments regarding those charge sheets. There have been
successive Governments at the centre and at the state
from different parties. Questions may well be asked from
everybody. So, at this point of time I think it is very
important to achieve clarity on the best efforts for
rehabilitation and to ensure that it never happens
again; and those who have been neglected by the court
are brought to justice.
Smt. Natarajan further said that according to a report
published Mr. Anderson got bail at that time. I do not
want to be in a position to defend Mr. Anderson.
On the question of the reconsideration of the Nuclear
Liability Bill in view of the Bhopal Gas tragedy, Smt.
Natarajan said that I do not think there is any
connection between the two issues.
On the question of the charge that Mr. Anderson was
given a safe passage in New Delhi by the then Rajiv
Government and Mr. Arjun Singh in Madhya Pradesh; Smt.
Natarajan said I think you are mistaken that Mr.
Anderson received the bail at that time. I would like to
say that the Congress Party is of the firm opinion, as
the Law Minister has pointed out, that the extradition
process should be completed and he should be brought to
book just like all the other accused. He has already
been declared an absconder by the Court. However, at
that point of time Mr. Anderson received bail and left
the country and now is a proclaimed offender. It is a
very sensitive issue and we believe that the Government
should take whatever action is necessary to ensure that
all perpetrators are brought to justice. That is why an
empowered Group of Ministers has been set up to study
whether any changes in the law are necessary. We are all
outrage that the punishment is equal to a traffic
accident, but it was the Supreme Court that had reduced
the punishment. The charge-sheet was filed for culpable
homicide. The Supreme Court reduced it to criminal
negligence and according to Indian law the maximum
punishment for criminal negligence is two years. So we
are now, therefore, in a situation where an E-GOM will
consider all these issues. The party feels a strong
sense of outrage and anguish at the sufferings and 26
years down the road being the leading party at the
Centre would to see that it does not recur in future.
On the question if any review petition is filed, Smt.
Natarajan said that I am not aware if law permits a
review petition after 26 years but certainly I have read
in the news report that they will appeal against it.
Tom Vadakkan
Secretary, AICC
