Monday, June 07, 2010

*A* Bhopal Verdict, But to What End?

Guilty verdicts in Bhopal gas disaster


Keshub Mahindra, current chairman of India's top utility vehicle and tractor maker Mahindra & Mahindra, was the highest ranking person convicted on Monday. He was chairman of Union Carbide India Ltd, a unit of Union Carbide, at the time of the accident.

Union Carbide's Indian arm was also found guilty.

Those convicted can appeal to a higher court, a process that in India can take years.

"It's actually going to be nothing. What is it? We're looking at maximum punishment of two years or a fine. If that's not the biggest joke, then I don't know what is," Rachna Dhingra, a Bhopal rights activist, said.

"There's nothing to be happy about."