Delhi court allows extradition of Bhopal Gas tragedy accused

(March 24, 2011) A court in Delhi has allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to extradite Warren Anderson, an accused in the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy case. Anderson is the former head of the Union Carbide Corporation, the US firm responsible for the disaster. “Considering the entire facts in its holistic perspective and sentiments of the disaster-hit people, I deem it appropriate and in the interest of justice that he be extradited,” chief metropolitan magistrate Vinod Yadav said. “There is no bar in law in seeking extradition of Warren Anderson from the US authorities. Request of the CBI is allowed,” he added. While pressing for the extradition of Anderson, the CBI had said that there was enough material implicating him in the case. “The chief judicial magistrate, Bhopal had passed a detailed order in June 2010 which is conclusive material implicating Anderson in the matter,” the agency said. The CBI had March 22 moved the court for extradition of Anderson, saying that it would be a travesty of justice if he is not put to trial for his alleged role in the 1984 Bhopal gas leakage tragedy. Some 40 tons of poisonous methyl isocyanate leaked out of the Carbide plant on Dec. 3, 1984 killing 5,295 people immediately and more than 25,000 since then. People are dying from water, soil and environment pollution from the now defunct factory 25 years later.