Ground Report

Bhopal gas tragedy verdict will be deliver on Monday (May 7).One of the country’s longest legal cases,the Bhopal gas tragedy survivors hope that guilty will be published.On December 2,1984 the Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) at Bhopal killed 15,000 people.On March 29,1985 the Indian Parliament enacts the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (processing of claims) Act 1985.It makes the Indian government sole plaintiff suing for compensation from UCIL.The Supreme Court of India agrees to a settlement of $470 million compensation.The compensation amount originally demanded was $ 3.3 billion on February 15,1989.On August 19,1992,the Indian government announces interim relief of Rs.200 ($40) to gas victims.In 1994,Union Carbide Corporation of USA sells its 50.9 percent shares in UCIL.From 1999 to 2002 Green Peace and other environmental groups find heavy metals in soil and ground water.In 2001 the Dow Chemical takes over the Union Carbide Corporation.On June 2004 Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson’s extradition request is rejected by the US government.Survivors and environmental groups want Dow Chemicals to clear up the site but they disagree.