The chief magistrate of Bhopal just called for the arrest of Warren Anderson, the former executive of Union Carbide, for his role in the 1984 disasters.

The Progressive wrote about Anderson being on the lam in the United States back in 2006.

Here's that story, by Kirk Nielsen.

And here's a current press release from Bhopal.

PRESS RELEASE

Arrest Carbide chairman Warren Anderson: Bhopal Court Orders Indian Federal Agency

31 July, 2009. BHOPAL -- Survivors of the Bhopal disaster today danced on the streets after hearing news that the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bhopal ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to arrest Mr. Warren Anderson and produce him before the court without delay. Mr. Anderson, former chairman of Union Carbide Corporation and the prime accused along with the company, was proclaimed an absconder in 1992 after he refused to appear in court despite several summons. The court has asked the CBI to explain what steps it has taken to enforce the warrant issued, and extradition ordered, in 2002. A copy of the order was also sent to the Ministry of External Affairs. Union Carbide Corporation and Anderson are charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, grievous assault and other serious crimes in relation to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster.

The news was received with jubilation by survivors who gathered in the court premises within an hour of the order being received. “The CBI was hoping to indefinitely delay this case. This is a very welcome and much anticipated move that the Chief Judicial Magistrate has independently ordered renewed action on this front,” said Rashida Bee, a survivor leader and member of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh. “Punishing the guilty and having them face the law is extremely important for survivors to attain closure to the horrors of the disaster. More importantly, this will send a strong signal that corporations and corporate bosses cannot play with our lives,” she said.

In 2002, Bhopal supporters traced Mr. Warren Anderson to the elite New York neighbourhood of The Hamptons, where he was found living a life of luxury. Survivors groups in Bhopal said they will now move to have renewed action to enforce the appearance of Union Carbide Corporation's authorised representatives. In a related matter, an application to summon The Dow Chemical Company, which acquired Union Carbide in 2001, is pending before the High Court.

For more information, contact:

Satinath Sarangi, Rachna Dhingra: 09826167369

Bhopal Group for Information and Action

Rashida Bi, Champa Devi Shukla: 0755 2747500

Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh

Syed M. Irfan. 09329026319
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh Morcha