LDALL BHOPAL 2LST

Mahindra, who had declined a Padma Bhushan award in
2002 on grounds that he was facing trial in the case, and six
others were present to hear the judgement while Quereshi was
represented by his counsel. The sentencing for Quereshi is
yet to be announced.
They were sentenced to two years imprisonment and
awarded a fine of Rs. one lakh each under section 304(a),
imprisonment of 3 months and a fine of Rs.250 under Sec 336,
6 months and Rs.500 under Sec 337 and 2 years and Rs.1,000
under Sec 338. All the sentences will run concurrently.
Civil rights activists fighting for the families of
victims of the disaster called the judgement "too little, too
late" and accused the prosecution and CBI of failing the
victims by diluting the charges.
They said the message from the judgement would
be that foreign investors could come and set up deadly
industries and get away after "killing and maiming" people.
Disappointed with the verdict, scores of gas victims
staged a protest inside the District and Sessions premises
where they shouted slogans against Anderson.
India's Law Minister M Veerappa Moily described the
verdict as an example of "justice buried" and said there was
need for fast-tracking such cases and ensuring proper
investigation.
The opposition Bharatiya Jnanata Party termed the order
as "painful" and said the prosecution should appeal against
the lower punishment. It also utilised the opportunity to
reconsider the provisions of the nuclear liability bill.
Communist Party of India's D Raja said the verdict was
"too little, too late" and accused the Central Bureau of
Investigation of failure to bring to justice foreigners
charged in the case.
Judge Tiwari gave 30 days time to the convicts to
appeal against the judgement. He also ordered immediate
production of eighth convict Quereshi.
The judgement was delivered amidst tight security in
the court complex with media and even some lawyers
representing gas victims were not not allowed inside.
The Indian subsidiary of the Union Carbide was also
fined a sum of Rs. 5 lakh, besides the fines of Rs.250, Rs.500
and Rs.1,000 under various sections.
Defence lawyers said that since all the guilty were old
and facing a number of serious ailments, leniency should be
shown in giving them punishment.
They also contended that the Supreme Court had ruled
in cases where victims were given compensation and the
accident was totally unintentional, the criminal liability
should be minimum. PTI