Bhopal Gas Tragedy: High Court Asks Media To Not Publish Fake News Regarding Union Carbide Waste Disposal At Pithampur

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday (January 6) ordered the media to not publish any fake news or misinformation regarding the disposal of Union Carbide waste material at Pithampur facility.

The division bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain observed, “Media shall not publish any fake news which will create fear and confusion in the public regarding the disposal of the waste material.”

In its last order dated December 3, 2024, the Court had noted that 40 years had lapsed since the Bhopal gas tragedy but toxic waste material was still lying at the now-defunct Union Carbide Factory. It had thus directed the authorities to immediately clean-up the site and take all remedial measures for safe disposal of the waste/material from the area.

On Monday (January 6), the Advocate General presented the affidavit of compliance, stating that the waste materials were transported to Pithampur waste facility in 12 fireproof and leak-proof containers. The transportation of waste was carried out with the support of police and the administration wherein the support team consisting of doctors, fire brigade staff and reserved team consisting of skilled labour were deployed.

However, the AG added that the material is simply lying there since there has been a lot of fake media reports regarding the disposal, which has created fear and confusion among the public.

The Court while dictating its order said,

“...It is further stated in the affidavit that there has been a huge public outcry on the basis of certain fictitious media reports wherein baseless rumours have been floated with the various sections of media to paint a picture that another industrial disaster would take place if the waste is unloaded and disposed of at the facility at Pithampur which would lead to severe environmental implications. To cater the said mispublicity, respondent has issued direction to various officials of the state to take action for confidence in the public and to dispel their myth by giving them actual input so that they may not be misguided by the fake news and the wrongful information floated by the miscreants and the vested interest.”

The Advocate General also prayed before the court that the said exercise would take some time and assured the Court that they will perform their duties and obligation and will take the public in confidence for the same.

Further, considering the intervening application, the court directed the State to take into consideration all the safety measures and accordingly comply with the order dated December 3, 2024. The counsel prayed for six-weeks time for compliance, which was granted by the court.

The State thereafter sought for a direction to unload the trailers and keep the material at a storage facility at Pithampur.

The court further dictated the order, “The Learned Advocate General has requested the court that they may be permitted to unload the material from the trailers. It is pertinent to mention here that while order dated 03.12.2024, the State was directed to take the material from Bhopal and dispose of the same as per the norms…thus, no further order is required to unload. It is the prerogative of the respondent state to unload and dispose of the same as per the direction of this Court.”

The matter is to be taken after six weeks.

Case Title: Alok Pratap Singh (Deceased) In Rem Vs. The Union Of India, WP 2802/2004

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