Another Convict in Bhopal Gas Tragedy Dies; Five Officials Have Died During 15-Year Appeal

Bhopal: A significant development unfolded on Monday in the ongoing criminal appeal related to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, as the District Court received news of the death of another Union Carbide official, Shakeel Quraishi, who served as Shift Supervisor at the MIC Plant. He passed away in Nagpur. The court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to officially verify his death.

Long-Drawn Legal Battle
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 20, during which the CBI is expected to present its final arguments against the accused officials and Union Carbide India Limited. The case has been under appeal for over 15 years following the original June 7, 2010, judgment by the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Bhopal, which found eight Indian officials of Union Carbide and the company itself guilty under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code.

Deaths of Convicted Officials
Shakeel Quraishi’s death marks the fifth among the convicted officials to occur during the long appellate process, highlighting the prolonged nature of legal proceedings in one of India’s most notorious industrial disasters.

Next Steps
Once the CBI concludes its arguments, the defense team representing Union Carbide officials and the company will present their final submissions. While the case appears to be nearing a critical stage, the deaths of multiple accused officials could influence the legal process and its eventual resolution.