New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to urgently list a plea challenging the incineration of hazardous waste from the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, which claimed 5,479 lives and left over five lakh people injured.
The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing before a vacation bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma. The bench, however, refused to entertain the plea for immediate relief.
"You have failed before the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Your prayer was rejected. You made an attempt here too. No interim order was granted. And now, during vacation, you want us to stay this?" the bench remarked, questioning the urgency of the matter at this stage.
The court also noted the prolonged legal battle over the toxic waste, asking, "For how many years are we going to keep fighting with that waste?"
The counsel, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the plea sought a stay on the incineration of approximately 377 tonnes of hazardous waste from the Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) site. However, the bench remained unmoved, stating, “No. Very sorry. The High Court is monitoring it,” and added that the disposal is taking place under the supervision of an expert body.
The bench indicated that the matter would be considered only after regular court functioning resumes in July.
On February 27, the apex court had already disposed of a similar plea against the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s December 3, 2024 order, which directed the state government to clear the toxic waste and ensure its disposal at Pithampur in Dhar district, about 250 km from Bhopal.
The Supreme Court had then noted that the High Court’s directive followed the recommendations of an expert committee comprising representatives from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). It had observed that NEERI and NGRI were "institutes of repute and recognition," whose opinions courts have often relied on in environmental matters.
The December order also rebuked the authorities for inaction and warned of contempt proceedings if the waste was not removed. The actual shifting of toxic waste began on January one in 12 sealed trucks.
The High Court’s February 18 directive outlined a trial disposal plan for 30 metric tonnes of waste in three phases, with the first 10 tonnes incinerated under strict protocols on February 27.
The Bhopal gas tragedy, caused by a leak of methyl isocyanate from the UCIL plant on the night of December 2–3, 1984, remains one of the world’s worst industrial disasters.
UNI SNG SS