Was Carbide boss aided in his escape?

NEW DELHI/BHOPAL: Warren Anderson was the chairman and CEO of Union Carbide Corporation when the deadly leak took place on the night of December 2-3 , 1984. Yet, he does not figure among those convicted on Monday by the Bhopal trial court.

Anderson was arrested and immediately released on bail by the MP police on December 7, 1984. He was declared a fugitive in February 1992 as he repeatedly ignored summons after CBI chargesheeted him and 12 others in 1987, holding them liable for the tragedy.

Anderson was declared absconder by the court, which made it a matter for the Centre to seek his extradition from US. But the government kept silent until 2003, when a request for his extradition was made to US by the NDA government . In June 2004, the US government rejected India’s request saying it was not in sync with the provisions of a bilateral treaty.

The last arrest warrant against Anderson was issued on July 22, 2009. Court of CJM Prakash Mohan Tiwari directed the CBI to arrest and produce Anderson so that, as the the main accused, he could face trial. The warrant was issued after two NGOs, Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangathan and Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti, moved court.

The NGOs had appealed to the court ‘‘ to frustrate the concerted attempt of the Union of India and all the concerned public servants in office at the relevant periods, who have made a complete mockery of the judicial process and the criminal justice system’’ .