NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today set aside a $470 million settlement to victims of the Bhopal gas disaster until it rules on the validity of a law making the Government the sole representative of all victims:
Justice Sabyasachi Mukherjee said the settlement “stands stayed for all practical purposes.” No formal order was issued.
Justice Mukherjee is presiding over the five judge panel hearing petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Bhopal Gas Disaster Act settlement adopted by Parliament in 1985. The law made the Government the sole representative of all gas victims.
Indira Jaisingh, a lawyer representing two people who say they were injured in the December 1984 leak, asked the panel to block the settlement. Arguments will continue Monday.
In February the Supreme Court ordered’ the Union Carbide Corporation to pay $470 million to compensate victims of the disaster considered the worlds worst industrial accident. Union Carbide deposited| the entire amount with the high court last month. The Government has not decided how the money will be disbursed.
At least 3,400 people died and 20,000 others were injured when deadly methyl isocyanate leaked from a pesticide plant operated by Union Carbide’s subsidiary Union Carbide of India Ltd.
The government had argued the leak was caused by negligence and sued Union Carbide for $3 billion. Union Carbide however said the disaster was sabotage by a disgruntled employee.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 14, 1989
