The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) involved a massive leak of methyl isocyanate gas from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant. The legal aftermath involved complex litigation regarding corporate liability, compensation, and environmental remediation, with the Supreme Court of India playing a pivotal role in the settlement process.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) did not immediately accept full responsibility. Instead, the company sought to evade liability by attributing the disaster to sabotage by a disgruntled employee and argued that the Indian subsidiary (UCIL) was responsible, not the parent company.
- Statement 2 is Correct. In February 1989, the Supreme Court of India facilitated a settlement between the Government of India and Union Carbide. Under this settlement, UCC agreed to pay $470 million as compensation. The Supreme Court upheld this settlement amount, deeming it just and reasonable at the time to ensure immediate relief to victims, although the adequacy of this amount has been legally contested in subsequent years (including curative petitions dismissed in 2023).
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. The toxic chemicals and waste left at the plant site have not been fully cleaned up. The successor company, Dow Chemical (which acquired Union Carbide in 2001), has consistently refused to accept liability for the environmental remediation of the site. Soil and groundwater contamination remains a critical issue.
Key Takeaway:
The Supreme Court of India exercised its jurisdiction to finalize the compensation settlement of $470 million in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case (1989), invoking its plenary powers to bring closure to the litigation for the benefit of victims, despite ongoing controversies regarding the adequacy of the amount and environmental cleanup.