The story dates back to 1984 when a Methyl Iso cyanide leak from UCC factory in Bhopal instantaneously killed thousands of innocent people, incapacitating many others, polluting the whole of Bhopal following which the Company was charged with serious offences. A nation stood aghast on the calamitous happening and civil rights activist were on the stage fighting for bringing to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity. Governments came and went, the case was moving at a snails pace. The perpetrators succeeded in watering down the charges. The Union of India intervened at the behest of the Supreme Court and victims and settled for a far less compensation amounting to miniscule 10% of what was claimed as compensation. 

The CEO of the Transnational corporation Mr.Warren Anderson was declared a proclaimed offender and no effort was taken to extradit this honorable gentleman to face trial. Worse  the then Solicitor Soli sorabjee let him off the hook by advising the Government not to seek his extradition. 

There after UCC was bought by another Transnational Du Pont who would not accept this liability against all fair trade practices. when a business is sold in as is where is condition, all assets and liabilities including those which are contingent get transferred. This time around two Union Ministers Chidambaram and Kamal nath along with Dr.Ahuluwalia, Dy Chairman of Planning Commission sought the PM to waive this liability from the head of Du Pont lest they back tract on their investment plans in India. Celebrated industrialist, Ratan Tata whom I hold in high regard for his unimpeachable integrity, also wanted this to be done , assuring that Indian corparates will help in rehabilitation of the victims. Though it seemed to be a humanitarian gesture, the business deals of Tata Group with Du Pont was the prime motivator for this altruism. 

Our Law Minister Mr.Veerappa Moily is a man with a conscience. I hope he will take up this issue at higher levels to render justice to the victims of this tragedy.