Jurist slams govt for reopening Bhopal case

Noted jurist Fali S Nariman on Sunday trashed the government's efforts to reopen the cases against the accused in the Bhopal gas tragedy and termed as "wrong" the opinion given by the Attorney General GE Vahanvati in the matter.
Nariman reiterated that he regretted having represented the Union Carbide Corporation as its "lead lawyer" in the courts.
Speaking to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate on CNN-IBN, he said the government would have to pay the entire amount of enhanced compensation, since the matter has already been settled by the Supreme Court in 1989.
Asked about the Centre's efforts to file a curative petition in the SC against the top court's 1996 judgment to dilute charges against the former Carbide officials, he said:" According to section 300 of the CrPC for the same set of facts, you cannot have another offence, and convict them... and then say that they are liable to a higher degree of punishment".
Asked about the chances of extraditing former Carbide chief Warren Anderson, the jurist said:" It looks grim to me but if they have any means to do so, well, certainly they can do it."
On the Centre's efforts to charge the seven accused convicted by a Bhopal court for causing death due to negligence, he termed the move as "illegal".
On being reminded that the government view has been emboldened by Vahanvati's support, he said: "Then you better ask the Attorney General." Asked if Vahanvati had given wrong advice, he said:"Of course, yes."
Nariman said the attempts by the government would raise "public expectations," but he was not sure whether these would not be dashed. "Public memory is short," he said.
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Defence minister's flight among 11 diverted due to Delhi rains: Report
At least 11 flights, including the one Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was flying in, were diverted on Friday, due to the bad weather in Delhi, news agency ANI has reported. A heatwave seared Delhi on Friday before thundershowers and gusty winds brought some respite towards the evening. Delhi's primary weather station, Safdarjung Observatory, recorded a maximum temperature of 44.4 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal.
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Chandigarh administration marks World Biodiversity Day with poster-making competition
The UT department of environment, in collaboration with Yuvsatta and eco-club of St Joseph's Senior Secondary School, organised an inter-school poster-making contest at the school campus on the theme of 'Plastic Pollution Affects Biodiversity & Healthy Planet' to mark the 'World Biodiversity Day'. Department director Debendra Dalai was the chief guest on the occasion. Over 300 students from 26 city schools participated in the event.
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Promising Merchant Navy job for her son, swindler dupes Chandigarh woman of ₹3 lakh
Police's cyber crime investigation cell arrested a Nashik-resident for duping a city resident of ₹3 lakh on the pretext of securing a job for her son. The accused, Umesh Popat Pardeshi, was arrested from Nashik and brought to Chandigarh on transit remand. Police had in April registered a case on the complaint of a resident of Mauli Jagran, Yogesh Chaudhary.
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Over 1,000 Chandigarh GCG-11 students walk away with degrees at annual convocation
More than 1,000 graduate and post-graduate students were awarded degrees at the 63rd Annual Convocation of Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 11, on Friday. Nishtha Jaswal, vice-chancellor, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, was the chief guest at the ceremony, where over 90 students who secured positions in Panjab University examinations and in college were felicitated.
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Chandigarh’s SD College felicitates students, teachers at annual function
As many as 800 students and 42 faculty members were felicitated during the annual prize distribution function at Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma (GGDSD) College in Sector 32 on Friday. The function was presided over by UT adviser Dharam Pal. A total of 42 faculty members were given cash prizes for completing their PhD and 89 students were awarded the Roll of Honour, while 77 received College Colours. Students excelling in sports were also felicitated.