By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Bhopal: All 8 accused in the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy have been found guilty by a local court today, 25 years after the incident killed several thousand people, wounded thousands of others. The guilty include Warren Anderson, then Executive Chairman, Union Carbide USA.
The accused found guilty of criminal negligence by the court include top executives of Union Carbide, India including senior Indian businessman Keshub Mahindra, who was the chairman of the company when the incident happened.
The toxic gas leaked from Union Carbide plant in the Madhya Pradesh capital on the night between December 2-3, 1984 was exposed to eight lakh people, but the government says only 15 thousand people died in the incident. Union Carbide plant had released methyl isocyanate.
Bhopal gas tragedy: Timeline
Dec 3, 1984: Union Carbide India Ltd’s (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal releases Methyl isocyanate. Around 800, 000 people were exposed to the gas. According to government estimates, 15000 people died. Others passed on the harmful effects of the gas, genetically.
Dec 4, 1984: A case is registered against Union Carbide. The chairman Warren Anderson is arrested but later released on bail by the Madhya Pradesh police.
1985: India claims $3.3 billion from Union Carbide in an American court.
1989: Indian government and Union Carbide strike out-of-court deal, Union Carbide gives $ 470 million.
1992: Part of $ 470 million disbursed among victims. Anderson declared fugitive from law for ignoring court summons.
2001: Union Carbide refuses to take responsibility for former Indian arm’s liabilities.
2004: Supreme Court orders government to pay out rest of $ 470 million paid by Union Carbide as compensation.
June 7, 2010: Finally, after more than 25 years, the judgement against the nine accused is due to be out today.