This week in Indian law: The Supreme Court dismissed the curative petition seeking enhanced compensation for the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, effectively ending nearly four decades of litigation on one of the world's worst industrial disasters. The Court also clubbed multiple FIRs filed against a Congress leader across different states and transferred proceedings to a single UP jurisdiction. 2 significant legal developments this week across supreme-court-judgments and criminal-law.
Top story
SC Dismisses Bhopal Gas Tragedy Enhanced Compensation Plea
Category: supreme-court-judgments | Date: 14 March 2023 | Source: Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court dismissed the curative petition filed by the Union of India seeking enhanced compensation from Union Carbide Corporation (now Dow Chemical) for the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. The Court held that the 1989 settlement of USD 470 million, which had been upheld by the Court in subsequent proceedings, could not be reopened through the curative jurisdiction. The dismissal effectively closes the judicial chapter on compensation for the disaster that killed over 3,000 people and affected hundreds of thousands.
Why it matters: This ruling marks the definitive end of India's attempts to secure additional compensation for the Bhopal gas disaster through the judicial process. The decision has been criticised by survivors' groups as inadequate given the scale of the tragedy.
Read more: Veritect analysis
Court judgments
SC Clubs Multiple FIRs Against Congress Leader
Court: Supreme Court of India | Date: 10 March 2023
The Supreme Court clubbed multiple FIRs filed against Congress leader Pawan Khera in different states arising from the same set of public statements and transferred proceedings to a single jurisdiction in Uttar Pradesh. The Bench observed that the filing of multiple FIRs across different states for the same alleged offence constitutes harassment and undermines the accused's ability to defend.
Key point: The ruling reinforces the principle that multiple FIRs for the same offence in different jurisdictions can be clubbed and transferred, addressing a growing pattern of state-by-state FIR filing as a tool of political harassment.
Also this week
- Budget session continues — Finance Bill 2023 debate in Parliament; Competition Amendment Bill expected to pass Lok Sabha soon.
- SEBI routine operations — No major circulars issued; PAN-Aadhaar linkage deadline approaching (31 March).
- Adani-Hindenburg — SC proceedings continue; expert committee to be constituted.
Looking ahead
- March 15-16: SC expected to hear bail-related matters; significant bail bond directions anticipated.
- March 29: Competition Amendment Bill expected to pass Lok Sabha.
- March 31: End of FY2022-23; Finance Act presidential assent expected; SEBI compliance deadlines.
This is the Veritect Weekly Legal Roundup for Week 10 of 2023. For daily updates, visit our legal news page. Subscribe to receive this roundup every Monday morning.
Veritect provides this content for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.