New Delhi:
As the blame game over Bhopal verdict intensifies, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily has pointed a finger at the judiciary for delaying the Bhopal case and letting the then Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson get away.(Read:Bhopal gas verdict: Questions over political culpability)
"I am already on record that case is not closed against Anderson. CBI had filed a chargesheet against Anderson and all the other accused under Section 304(2) where the maximum punishment is 10 years. But the case was converted to 304 A - which is meant for car accidents - by the Chief Justice of India at that time. For an offence of this dimension, I am sorry it was reduced. The government had done its duty, but because of judiciary it was delayed," he said. (Watch: Bhopal's betrayal: Who is to blame?)
"We are working on fast-tracking such cases. Cases of mass destruction should have standard law. Mass destruction is not an accident but a disaster. A process of class litigation should also be there," Moily added.
He also insisted that the case against Warren Anderson was still not closed. (See Pics: Who is Warren Anderson)
Earlier, the United States had said that it would "carefully evaluate" any new request from India to bring to justice Warren Anderson, who is wanted in a case related to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy that killed several thousands of people. (See Pics: Bhopal Gas verdict: Too little, too late?)
State department spokesperson PJ Crowley told reporters that the US would carefully evaluate any request from the Indian government. (Read:US on Anderson: Will evaluate India's request)
The statement comes days after the Indian Foreign Ministry said the US had rejected India's extradition plea for want of direct culpability. Officials say India has renewed the request for an extradition several times between 2003 and 2008.
"I am already on record that case is not closed against Anderson. CBI had filed a chargesheet against Anderson and all the other accused under Section 304(2) where the maximum punishment is 10 years. But the case was converted to 304 A - which is meant for car accidents - by the Chief Justice of India at that time. For an offence of this dimension, I am sorry it was reduced. The government had done its duty, but because of judiciary it was delayed," he said. (Watch: Bhopal's betrayal: Who is to blame?)
"We are working on fast-tracking such cases. Cases of mass destruction should have standard law. Mass destruction is not an accident but a disaster. A process of class litigation should also be there," Moily added.
He also insisted that the case against Warren Anderson was still not closed. (See Pics: Who is Warren Anderson)
Earlier, the United States had said that it would "carefully evaluate" any new request from India to bring to justice Warren Anderson, who is wanted in a case related to the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy that killed several thousands of people. (See Pics: Bhopal Gas verdict: Too little, too late?)
State department spokesperson PJ Crowley told reporters that the US would carefully evaluate any request from the Indian government. (Read:US on Anderson: Will evaluate India's request)
The statement comes days after the Indian Foreign Ministry said the US had rejected India's extradition plea for want of direct culpability. Officials say India has renewed the request for an extradition several times between 2003 and 2008.
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