Bhopal verdict a travesty of justice: CPI-M

The Communist Party of India-Marxist today described the verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy as a "travesty of justice" that showed how the American suppliers and owners "escaped any criminal liability" in India.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Tuesday described the verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy as a "travesty of justice" that showed how the American suppliers and owners "escaped any criminal liability" in India.

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"The Bhopal gas verdict, which after 25 years awards a sentence of just two years to the culprits, is a travesty of justice that shames India and insults the memory of thousands killed," a CPI-M statement said.

Pointing out that the judgment was the culmination of a "deep flawed" process, the CPI-M said the investigative agencies, the government "and even the highest court of the land compromised the interests of the country and the victims".

"The Bhopal disaster and the utterly flawed legal framework shows how the American suppliers and owners have escaped any criminal liability," the statement said.

In this context, the CPI-M said the proposed civil nuclear liability bill "that excludes foreign suppliers from any liability may help more Warren Andersons".

"The bill limits compensation to even less than the paltry Bhopal settlement. Pushing ahead with the bill means playing with the safety and interests of the Indian people," it said, strongly opposing the legislation that is under the consideration of a parliamentary panel.