BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
In Union Carbide Verdict, Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied
June 29th, 2010
In December 1984, the chemical plant owned by American company Union Carbide had a major toxic gas explosioon and leak of methyl isocyanate. The leak exposed some half-a-million people, leaving thousands dead almost immediately and thousands more dead from gas related injuries over the coming weeks. Estimates range from eight to fifteen thousand deaths from the explosion and in the immediate aftermath, with hundreds of thousands of injuries.
The leak was no mere “accident;” but the result of conscious safety corner-cutting and neglect to save money and bolster the bottom line. The fallout has continued for two and half decades, as chemicals stored at the former plant site may still be leaking into the ground water.
reported picture from Union Carbide explosion aftermath
When I was a business undergrad a decade ago, this case was a prime example used in teaching corporate social responsibility, or lack thereof.
Two weeks ago there was finally a verdict in the case:
… top executives and the company they worked for are guilty for their role in the 1984 industrial disaster that killed thousands in Bhopal, India.
The leaking of poisonous gas from Union Carbide India Limited — the now-defunct local subsidiary of the American chemical company — was one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. Plaintiffs had waited more than two decades for the verdict.
The convicted former employees have been sentenced to the maximum punishment allowed in the case. The judge imposed a two-year prison term and a fine of about $2,000 each after convicting the men of negligence causing death, endangering public life and causing hurt.
Indian industrialist Keshub Mahindra, then head of Union Carbide India Limited, six colleagues and their company were convicted of negligence, said prosecuting attorney C. Sahay. Another company manager charged in connection with the litigation died during the trial, he said.–CNN
India now looks to extradite Union Carbide Chief
India’s Cabinet has approved pushing for the former head of Union Carbide to be extradited over the toxic gas leak in 1984 that killed an estimated 15,000 people.
Public ire over the world’s worst industrial disaster in the Indian city of Bhopal resurfaced this month after a court convicted seven former employees…
India will renew an extradition request with U.S. authorities for former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson, who was arrested and quickly released when he visited India soon after the tragedy.
Anderson’s wife, Lillian, told The Associated Press at their Bridgehampton, New York, home last year that her elderly husband was in poor health and had been haunted by the Bhopal disaster.
The government will also pursue liability claims against Dow Chemical Co., which took over Union Carbide in 2001, seven years after Union Carbide sold its interest in the Bhopal plant.
posted in Foreign News, Natural Disasters, News & Events, Socio-Economic | | | View blog reactions |
Leave a Reply
About The Blog
Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
I created this site to give new voice to socio-political issues that are in need of thoughtful consideration and redress.
Click the "More About The Blog" link for rest of this statement.
Also, if you like what you see, subscribe for a once a day email to be sent on days when we post by entering your email address in the feed burner subscription box below.
- More About The Blog...
Subscribe via email
Blogroll
- Abagond
- AfroSpear Blogs & Info
- All About Race
- All Africa
- BlackPerspectivenet @ Youtube
- BlackPressUSA.com
- From My Brown Eyed View
- Redding News Review
- Sojourner’s Place
- Tasiaxm.com
- Trini Gourmet
- UltravioletUnderground
Site Meter
Meta
Subscribe Via RSS
My Twitter
Recent Posts
- African Women Win Nobel Peace Prize
- How Black Colleges Are Turning White – The Ethnic Cleansing Of African Americans in the Age of Obama
- Social and Cultural Causes Also on Display At African Street Fest
- Video of Obama’s Jobs Speech
- Eric Cantor Two-Faced on Offsetting Disaster Relief