The two-year imprisonment awarded to the accused in the Bhopal gas tragedy case is too light a punishment. This is utter negligence on the part of the government and is a complete judicial flaw. Ironically, all the convicts were released on bail in the evening on the same day. The court did not even mention the name of Warren Anderson — chairman of the US-based Union Carbide group who was involved in the tragedy. The whole sequence of trial has made a mockery of our legal system. Worst of all, assurances like compensation and job security for the victims have not yet been fulfilled.
The verdict has raised many crucial questions. Does the judiciary lack enough laws to deal with cases like the Bhopal tragedy? What is stopping the government from enacting stringent laws? The government should review the case with utmost care.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, Hyderabad
