Vizag gas leak: SC allows LG Polymers to have access to its chemical plant

Tribune News Service

New Delhi May 26

Nineteen days after a gas leak accident at LG Polymers' Vishakhapatnam plant claimed 11 lives and left dozens others injured, the Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the South Korean MNC to have access to the chemical factory.

A Bench headed by Justice UU Lalit asked the company to submit to the District Collector by 3 pm today a list of 30 persons who could be allowed to have access to the plant on behalf of the company.

The order came after senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi submitted on behalf of LG Polymers that not allowing the company to have access to the plant could lead to more problems.

"I want to participate, I am not running away.There can be more problems if we don't have access, which is impossible right now because the premises are sealed. I need emergency access," Rohatgi told the Bench during hearing on the company's petition against a National Green Tribunal's order directing it to deposit Rs 50 crore and setting up a committee to look into the accident.

As Rohatgi said the company would seek transfer of matters pending in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the NGT, the Bench made it clear that it was not inclined to intervene. The company can raise its grievances before the high court, it said.

The Supreme Court had on May 19 refuses to interfere with the NGT's order asking LG Polymers to deposit Rs 50 Crore and setting up a committee to look into the accident. 

Taking suo motu cognisance of the industrial accident, an Bench headed by Chairman Justice AK Goel had directed the company to deposit Rs 50 Crore with Vishakhapatnam District Magistrate.

It had also set up a five-member Committee headed by former Andhra Pradesh High Court Judge BS Reddy to inquire into the tragedy.

The company -- which had already deposited the money --  questioned setting up of several committees by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Central Government to look into the gas leakage accident.

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