As the world remembers the devastating night of December 2–3, 1984, the Madhya Pradesh High Court is preparing to re-examine one of the most pressing issues left unresolved for thousands of Bhopal Gas Tragedy survivors—fair and adequate compensation.
The High Court’s principal bench in Jabalpur will take up a crucial petition on December 3, coinciding with the 41st anniversary of the disaster. The hearing aims to address long-standing allegations that many survivors suffering from chronic illnesses and lifelong disabilities were wrongly classified as “minor injury” or “temporary disablement”, leading to decades of under-compensation.
Why the Case Has Returned to Court
The matter resurfaced after the Supreme Court, in July, allowed rights groups to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The directive followed consistent claims that the original categorisation of injuries—used as the basis for compensation—did not reflect the true medical realities faced by victims.
According to activists, the initial medical classification categorized several severely affected survivors into lighter injury brackets. This resulted in inadequate financial relief, despite years of suffering due to respiratory diseases, vision loss, organ damage, and other long-term health complications.
Decade-Long Legal Effort
The roots of this case date back to a 2010 plea filed by the central government, seeking a revision of the 1989 settlement reached with Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and Union Carbide India Limited (UCCL). That settlement—₹705 crore—was widely criticised as insufficient, especially after public outcry over the lenient sentencing of those held responsible for the gas leak.
In 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the Centre’s curative petition seeking additional compensation from UCC. However, the July directive opened a new legal avenue: reassessing whether victims’ injuries were incorrectly classified, and if so, how compensation should be recalculated.
Activists Welcome Renewed Scrutiny
Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action emphasised the significance of the case being transferred to the High Court.
“The Supreme Court has allowed us to take the matter to the Madhya Pradesh High Court to examine wrongful injury classifications. We filed the petition, and the government must now respond,” she said.
The High Court has already issued notices to the state and central governments regarding a PIL demanding reclassification of injuries based on updated medical evidence.
Government Response Expected December 3
On the anniversary of the tragedy, the government is expected to submit its reply—a development that thousands of survivors and families are awaiting with renewed hope. Correct classification could lead to enhanced financial support, improved access to healthcare, and long-overdue recognition of the long-term suffering endured by victims.
A Step Toward Justice
For many, this hearing represents not just another legal date, but a symbolic moment—a chance to re-evaluate four decades of pain, struggle, and administrative shortcomings. As the tragedy continues to cast a long shadow over Bhopal, survivors hope this review marks a turning point toward long-delayed justice.