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CBI plea fails in Bhopal gas leak case
Bhopal, Aug 28 (ANI): A district court here rejected on Wednesday a CBI plea to dilute the charges against the former chairman of U.S.-based Union Carbide over the 1984 Bhopal gas leak disaster that killed 3,000 people. The leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in the city was one of the world's worst industrial accidents and left thousands of people with lifetime illnesses. Thousands more have died since the December 1984 incident. Despite protests from thousands of survivors, CBI had sought to dilute the charges against Warren Anderson, named as the main accused in the case, from culpable homicide to a rash and negligent act. The judge turned down the request, saying charges against Anderson could not be diluted as he had failed to appear in court to face criminal charges against him. The judge also asked the CBI to expedite the process of extraditing Anderson. Anderson faces a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine if found guilty of culpable homicide. He would have faced up to two years in jail or a fine if the court had agreed to reduce the charges. Five tonnes of poisonous methyl isocyanate gas leaked into the air from a tank at the pesticide plant in the early hours of December 3, 1984. Union Carbide, USA, which was acquired by Michigan-based Dow Chemicals Co. two years ago, and its Asian unit, Union Carbide Eastern Inc-Hong Kong, are the two others accused in the case. The CBI wanted to bring charges against Anderson in line with those faced by Indian employees of Union Carbide. The agency says it filed for the dilution of charges after a 1996 ruling by the Supreme Court that Indian employees of Union Carbide should be charged for a rash and negligent act rather than culpable homicide. Anderson is considered a fugitive under Indian law for refusing to face charges in Indian courts. The Indian government's civil case against Union Carbide was settled in 1989 for 470 million dollars. But criminal cases against the defendants are still pending in Indian courts which have repeatedly said Anderson should be extradited to face criminal charges. New Delhi has yet to start the extradition process. Survivors of the disaster say the CBI's move to reduce charges against Anderson was prompted by India's desire to close the case under pressure from Washington and an attempt to shore up the country's image as a friendly destination for foreign investors. "This is a victory of Bhopal gas victims and all those who seek justice. It is a slap on the face of Indian government and CBI. This matter was getting delayed unnecessarily," said social activist Abdul Jabbar fighting for victims' rights for more than a decade. A member of the victims' family said they feel vindicated. "We are very happy. I feel as if we have won for the first time in 18 years. We are hopeful that now after winning the first battle the future victories would easily come by," said Saira Shamsi, a relative of one of the victims of the tragedy.(ANI) Jaya rules out tie-up with Congress led by "foreigner"
New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha on Wednesday ruled out alliance with the Congress party headed by a "foreigner" in the next parliamentary elections. Declaring that AIADMK is firmly committed to support an "Indian" to be the next Prime Minister, Jayalalitha told reporters that it was a "crying shame and a pointer to moral bankruptcy of the Congress, which was in the forefront of freedom struggle." "When did I say I support Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister of the country? I have never said anywhere that I will support Sonia Gandhi's candidature as Prime Minister. Show me one statement," Jayalalitha said. But Jayalalitha claimed her turnaround is a purely isolated decision and has nothing to do with the AIADMK's pro-NDA decisions, whether it was the vice-president's election, the anti- terror bill or the electoral reforms issue. "We are not supporting the Vajpayee Government. There is no question of joining the (NDA) alliance, she said." Noting that Congress had been in the forefront of the freedom struggle to make foreign rulers quit India, she said, "now the party is making an about-turn, U-turn once again to put up a foreigner in India." Jayalalitha declared that her party would not countenance to such a situation as the country with one billion population could have only an Indian as the Prime Minister. "It is an unfortunate remark, especially when the people of the country have accepted Sonia Gandhi as a leader and the Congress has won most of the assembly elections after she took over as party leader," AICC Secretary Ramesh Chennithala told reporters. The people had demonstrated their faith in her leadership more than once, he said. He also criticized Jayalalitha's walking out from the Cauvery River Authority meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. "She should have been more responsible and should have stayed at the meeting to discuss the Cauvery issue," he said.(ANI) Govt to abide by SC order: Naik
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to top New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): The government on Wednesday said it will not immediately issue any ordinance to cancel petrol pumps, gas agencies and LPG dealerships allotted since January 2000. Welcoming the Supreme Court decision, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said, "Today's order is an interim order and in such matters court normally passes such directions." "We will implement the order," he said. Naik said the Prime Minister's order of August 9 following allegations of favouritism in allotment was appropriate and was taken after due consultation with senior ministers. Government will defend its decision when the hearing resumes on November 12, he said.(ANI)
India won't lift ban on LTTE Go to top New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): The government on Wednesday ruled out lifting of ban on LTTE and said its request for extradition of the outfit's supremo V Prabhakaran remains valid. It was also made clear that it has no intention to involve itself in the peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, scheduled to held in Thailand in mid-September. "The request for Prabhakaran's extradition is valid and continues to be valid under international law," an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told reporters. The LTTE chief is wanted in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and other crimes. To a question, the spokesperson said, "There is no intention to involve ourselves in the peace talks," slated to be held in Bangkok next month. She also ruled out the possibility of India lifting the ban on LTTE. "There is no intention to lift the ban," said the spokesperson. Visiting Sri Lankan Minister for Economic Reforms and Science and Technology Milinda Moragoda, who is also Colombo's principal negotiator for the peace process, on Wednesday briefed External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on the latest developments in this regard. The Minister reiterated that India stood by its three-fold commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lankia and restoration of lasting peace through a negotiated settlement that meets the just aspirations of all elements of the Sri Lankan society.(ANI)
SC stays Centre's decision to cancel pump allotments
New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): A three-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice BN Kripal, Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice Arijit Pasayat, on Wednesday stayed the government's decision to cancel allottments of petrol pumps, gas and kerosene agencies made since January 2000. The interim order applies to 2248 dealerships and distributorships. However, the bench said the interim stay order will not apply to 1298 cases cancelled under the August 9 order of the government as in these cases only a Letter of Intent had been issued to the dealers and the distributors without commissioning of petrol pumps or gas agencies. The court transferred 11 petitions from five High Courts, terming them as representative petitions, to decide the questions involved in the challenge to the August 9 order. The final hearing on the matter is scheduled for November 12. (ANI)
Centre to offer resettlement aid to J and K migrants Go to top New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): The government has planned to offer a 16-point financial package for Jammu and Kashmir migrants to help them resettle in the state. The initiative comes several weeks ahead of the Assembly poll there. Minister of State for Home I D Swami told a group of reporters on Wednesday that the government will try to persuade the migrants to resume life in their homeland by giving them maximum monetary aid. Swami, further said that the situation in the state has changed a lot with the local people longing for peace and normalcy. However, he added that the decision to return home will be left entirely to the migrants. The minister will visit the migrants' camps to inform them of the package that includes rehabilitation grant per family at the rate of Rs 1.5 lakh, repairs of intact houses at Rs 1 lakh each and reconstruction of damaged/gutted houses at the rate of Rs 3 lakh for each destroyed house. More than three lakh people comprising mainly Kashmiri Pundits left the Valley following the rise in militancy in the state. (ANI) |