United States of America is willing to spend billions, sacrifice many innocent lives, break international laws and dole out summary justice in the pursuit of their misguided 'war on terror'. However if you are a rich American ultimately responsible for the death of more than 20,000 poor people in far off India, you can expect a life of luxury safe from the long arm of the US law.
Warren Anderson, Union Carbide CEO at the time of the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal, India, lives a life of luxury in New York State. Anderson has been hiding in the US since an explosion at his company's plant in Bhopal caused the immediate deaths of thousands of people and led to life long suffering for almost 120,000 survivors.
On the night of the disaster, December 3, 1984, an explosion at Union Carbide's pesticide plant caused 40 tonnes of lethal gas to seep into Bhopal. Six safety measures designed to prevent a gas leak had either malfunctioned, were turned off or were otherwise inadequate. In addition, the safety siren, intended to alert the community should an incident occur at the plant, was turned off.
As the Union Carbide boss, Anderson knew about a 1982 safety audit of the Bhopal plant, which identified 30 major hazards. Rather than fix them in Bhopal, only the company's identical plant in the US was fixed. Neglecting these hazards in Bhopal caused the deadly explosion. Anderson flew to India after the disaster but to the company's surprise, police investigating the disaster immediately arrested him. He subsequently jumped bail and was flow by private jet back to the US, never to return to India.
While fleeing the law in India his company abandoned the polluted factory site allowing it to poison Bhopal residents for 18 years. He did not disclose the composition of the poisonous gas (the company still claims this is a trade secret), thus preventing doctors from properly treating the 120,000 people who are still sick. Company lawyers ensured survivors only got between US$300-500 compensation each, if they were 'lucky', for their ruined lives. Dow Chemical took over Union Carbide in 2001 but it claims Union Carbide has 'settled' the issue of Bhopal.
The political battle over Bhopal Gas tragedy, Union Carbide Corporation and Warren Anderson's exit from India has been intensified again. The Congress seems to be on defensive over this issue. Because according to the media, PC Alexander, the principal secretary to Rajiv Gandhi has hinted that former PM Rajiv Gandhi and then Madhya Pradesh CM Arjun Singh discussed several issues, including the release of Warren Anderson.
The Congress denied the allegations and asked not to drag Rajiv Gandhi into this controversy. However, it remained silent on the question how Anderson escaped from India without the help of the state government and Centre. Also Madhya Pradesh' Urban Administration and Development Minister Babulal Gaur alleged that Union Carbide had paid Rs 1.5 lakh to a NGO headed by Arjun Singh's son soon after the Bhopal Gas tragedy.
Reports coming from the US suggested that the American government may consider the plea, if India seeks extradition of Warren Anderson. It would be interesting to see how the government reacts to the situation. Will justice be finally done?
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