Bhopal, July 6
Keshub Mahindra, chairman of Union Carbide India when the gas leak took place, was today granted bail by a local court. Mahindra, who was given a two-year jail term for his role in one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, said he wanted to do “something concrete” for the victims.

Mahindra (86) got the relief today five days after he got conditional bail. Four of the six others who were convicted along with Mahindra on June 7 in the 1984 case were also granted bail by Chief Judicial Magistrate RV Singh.

Talking to reporters outside the court, Mahindra said he wanted to do some work for the gas victims. “I have been saying for the last 20 years that it is my desire to do something concrete for the gas victims.”

“I think what happened was terrible. I think something should be done quickly. If they need compensation, give them compensation. Help them with health. Instead of spending time on legal matters, you should help people of Bhopal,” he said. He said that he had resigned as a member of the Prime Minister’s Trade Council as he did not consider it proper to continue.

UCIL former managing director Vijay Gokhale, former vice-president Kishore Kamdar, former works manager J Mukund and former production manager SP Choudhry got relief today along with Mahindra. — PTI