Madhya Pradesh High Court: In a writ petition pertaining to the environmental aftermath of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, a division bench of Suresh Kumar Kait, CJ., and Vivek Jain, J., directed the Principal Secretary, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, to immediately fulfill statutory duties under environmental laws and ensure cleanup of the toxic waste from the site.
In the instant matter pertains to the toxic waste cleanup at the Union Carbide Factory site in Bhopal, following the catastrophic MIC gas disaster of 1984. the petitioner filed the present writ petition in 2004 highlighting that the respondents, including the State Government of Madhya Pradesh and the Central Government, failed to take substantive steps to remove toxic waste, decommission hazardous plants, and remediate contaminated soil and groundwater, which pose significant risks to public safety. Despite numerous court orders spanning nearly two decades, including orders dated 30-03-2005; 13-04-2005; 23-06-2005, minimal progress has been made over nearly two decades.
The tragedy occurred 40 years ago, yet cleanup operations remain incomplete. A contract for waste removal was awarded on 23-09-2021, with partial payments made to the contractor in March 2024. The plan for cleanup was approved on 20-03-2024, but no substantive action has been taken. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Board has resources ready, but coordination among stakeholders is lacking.
The Court directed that —
Principal Secretary, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department, to fulfill statutory obligations under environmental laws.
The cost of the cleanup will be borne by the State and Central Governments as previously directed, with the Central Government claiming its share has already been paid.
Mandated immediate commencement of waste removal and remedial measures.
Non-compliance will result in prosecution under the Contempt of Courts Act.
Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the State Government to appear in court if delays persist.
All departments must complete formalities and permissions within one week.
Toxic waste must be removed and transported within four weeks.
Emphasized strict adherence to safety protocols during waste disposal.
Daily progress to be recorded and reported via a compliance report supported by a personal affidavit from the Principal Secretary, starting from 12-09-2024.
The Court listed the matter for review on 06-01-2025.
[Alok Pratap Singh v. Union of India, WP No. 2802 of 2004, Decided on 03-12-2024]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
Shri Naman Nagrath, Senior Advocate with Shri K.N. Fakhruddin, Counsel for the Petitioners
Shri Pushpendra Yadav, Deputy Solicitor General and Shri S.K. Shukla, Counsel for the Respondent No. 1/Union of India
Shri H.S. Ruprah, Additional Advocate General with Dr. S.S. Chouhan, Government Advocate, Counsel for the State
Shri Ashish Shroti, Counsel for the M.P. Pollution Board.
Shri Ravindra Shrivastava, Senior Advocate and Shri Kishore Shrivasava, Senior Advocate with Ms. Shiraz Patodia, Shri Ashish Singh, Ms. Divya Shrma, Ms. Juhi Chawla and Shri Kunal Thakre, Counsel for the respondent No.4.
Shri Rajeev Mishra, Shri S.K. Verma and Ms. Shakshi Pawar, Counsel for the respondent No. 7.
Shri Shreyas Dharmadhikari, Counsel for the intervenor International Campaign for justice Sambhavana Trust, Bhopal.
Shri N. D. Jayprakash, appears through V.C. for Intervenor/Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti and Shri Avininder Singh, Senior Advocate and Shri Teerthesh Bharilya, Advocate, Shri Akshay Pawar, Counsel for the intervenor/B.G.I.A
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