Bhopal gas tragedy: SC to hear curative petitions on Feb 28

The Supreme Court on Thursday decided to hear in open court two curative petitions filed by the CBI and the Centre in connection with the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy seeking restoration of the stringent charge of culpable homicide against the accused and enhancement of compensation for the victims.

The petition in which the Centre has sought enhancement of compensation from Rs 750 crore to Rs 7,700 crore for victims was listed for hearing today but the apex court decided to take both the matters together on February 28 after perusing the documents relating to the case. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia took the decision during chamber proceedings on the two curative petitions,separetely filed by the CBI and the Centre. Place these petitions in the court, the bench also comprising Justices Altamas Kabir,R V Raveendran,B Sudershan Reddy and Aftab Alam,said. Curative petitions are generally heard in chambers of judges by circulation.