The Centre has apprised the Supreme a court on Tuesday saying that it is keen to pursue the curative petition seeking enhancement of compensation the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy victims above the $470 million, which has already been paid by Union Carbide.
The victims counsel was Advocate Karuna Nundy, who contended that the victims should be given a chance to give a representation before the court comes to a conclusion in the matter.The victim’s representative also appreciated the AG’s heartening statement.
The Attorney General during the course of discussion said that he is aware of the various challenges that come with reopening of this matter, but victims cannot be abandoned,because the tragedy is unfolding every day. He added that the government wants to proceed and he has gone through considerable literature on the reopening of settlement.
The Attorney General also said that said he will be able to place a note. Nundy said first there is the civil aspect, and then there is the criminal aspect and the matter must be investigated.
The counsel of Union Carbide Corporation questioned the locus standi of NGOs.
The bench comprising of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice A.S. Oka, Justice Vikram Nath, and Justice J.K. Maheshwari asked as to why a review was not filed then and a curative petition has been filed after a gap of 19 years. the bench also asked the victims’ counsel, in what capacity they will be heard?
The bench, in its order, said that the AG has taken a stand before the court that the government would like to press its curative petition and a number of NGOs would like to be impleaded, however, counsel for respondent has questioned the maintainability.
The top court has scheduled the hearing after eight weeks and sought a joint compilation by then.