Bhopal gas tragedy verdict late: KG Balakrishnan

The verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy has "come late", National Human Rights Commission chairperson and former chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan said today.

The verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy has "come late", National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson and former chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan said on Monday.

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"The verdict on the Bhopal gas tragedy has come late," Balakrishnan, who took charge as NHRC head on Monday, said at a press meet.

"I can't comment on the quantum of punishment. Inadequacy of a sentence is a ground for appeal and the aggrieved parties can appeal on the same ground," he added.

A court in Bhopal held eight former officials of Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) guilty of criminal negligence in the world's worst industrial disaster 25 years back.

The eight include Keshub Mahindra, who then headed UCIL, from whose pesticide plant here tonnes of lethal gas leaked on Dec 2-3, 1984 night, killing thousands instantly and many more later. The death toll is believed to be about 25,000.