MP seeks legal opinion to reinvestigate case
In line with Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s claim that he would go to “any extent” in bringing justice to the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy, the state government has begun the exercise of taking legal opinion on whether it can reinvestigate the whole case, including the escape of then Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson.
Informing about this, Mr Chouhan said, “For us, all options are open including re-investigation of the gas leakage case. We are discussing it with legal experts.” Stressing on the need for a proper investigation into questions relating to escape of Mr Anderson and some charges being diluted during trial, the chief minister said, “Whatever happened on that fateful night was really discouraging. The whole nation wants former chief minister Arjun Singh to speak up and clear doubts in people’s mind on the issue.”
Reiterating his government’s pledge to do “anything” to get justice to victims, Mr Chouhan said, “There are certain issues like dilution of charges under Section 304 amounting to culpable homicide which needs to be looked into. Victims and millions of people expect answers on it. The decision by the court is unsatisfactory. That is why we have decided to approach high court to appeal the lower court’s decision.”
This week, when the chief minister was here, he had informed that he had written a letter to Mr Arjun Singh asking him to come clear on how Anderson fled the country after the tragedy in December 1984. To a question regarding difference of opinion among different political parties and leaders, he said, “It is sad to note that certain people are playing politics on the tragedy. Instead, we should collectively make effort to bring justice for the victims and people.”
The state government has constituted a five-member committee under the chairmanship of additional solicitor general Vivek Tankha to look into the trial court judgement and examine all legal aspects including any fresh evidence.
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