Moily: Govt won’t pursue Bhopal case in US courts

NEW DELHI: Following attorney general of India’s advice, the Centre has decided against pursuing the case of Bhopal gas tragedy compensation in the US courts, observing it was not in interest of the country or victims. “We have taken a decision not to pursue the case as it is not in the interest of victims and not in the interest of India. We have taken a considered decision... Our courts are competent and capable of resolving... (the matter),” law minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters.

He was responding to a question on the opinion of attorney general G E Vahanvati that India should not become a party in compensation-related cases in the United States. In an advice to the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, the AG had asked the Union government not to pursue the Bhopal gas tragedy case in US courts.

The AG advised the government to refrain from becoming a party to the lawsuit against the Union Carbide company in a US court. Vahanvati in his opinion said since a curative petition has been filed by the Centre there was no need for becoming a party in the US court, sources said.