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CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY
BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY
Rough draft
LAW OF TORTS
SUBMITTED TO:
MRS.SUSHMITA SINGH
FACULTY OF LAW OF TORTS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
SUBMITTED BY:
NAME -UJJAWAL KUMAR
COURSE–BBA.LLB(HONS)
ROLLNO–2437
SESSION-2020-2025
Semester 1
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INTRODUCTION
. On December 3 1984, in the city of Bhopal, a highly toxic cloud of methyl
isocyanate(MIC) vapor burst from the Union Carbide pesticide plant. Of the 800,000 people
living in Bhopal at the time, 2,000 died immediately, and as many as 300,000 were injured 1.
MIC was a major component for the production of the pesticide Sevin by the Union Carbide
factory at Bhopal. This incident we now refer to as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy is one of the
worst commercial industrial disasters in history. It is described as a low probability‐high
consequence accident. The tumultuous outcome of the accident was a cumulative effect of
the following seven reasons.
1. Large release of chemical from the plant.
2. Release of colorless, odorless MIC, which is highly toxic.
3. Heavily populated areas adjacent to the plant.
4. Calm weather conditions, bringing the vapor cloud down
5. Leak occurs at night when people are sleeping.
6. Failure or late warnings
7. Unqualified and unaware people working at the plant
Due to the magnitude of the accident, the Bhopal disaster has been the focus of media
and an example of lessons to be learnt for industrial safety. This incident which has also
been called “Hiroshima of the Chemical Industry” one of the worst commercial industrial
disasters in history3. Table 1 below provides a list of the major industrial accidents that
occurred in a period of 65 years (1921‐1986) with their fatalities. After the incidence, over
the next few years, numerous studies were conducted, many theories were explored, and
the involved parties accused each other. This report will explore the various causes offered
for the tragedy and the strategies that Union Carbide Corporation used through the course
of the crisis.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
In pursuance of this project, the reachers aims to analyze the notorious Bhopal Gas
Tragedy and explore its long-term repercussions under the purviews of law and general
business ethics, for India as well as internationally. Further, it is intended to incorporate
perspectives of the different stakeholders involved and generally understand the issuing light of
the ethical theories discussed in class
RESEARCH QUESTION
1.What is Bhopal gas tragedy ?
2.what are the cases relateded to it ?
3. results of the judgements?
4. are people happy after the judgment?
RESEARCH METHODODlOGY
The researcher has used the doctrinal method of research for the completion of this project
work. Few primary and secondary methods were used. Some literary works and books and
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articles were referred and the interment through various websites were use extensively for the
collection of data which is required for the study needed for this project.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The researcher intends to examine the secondary sources in thus project.The secondary
sources include books,websites,photographs,articles,e-articlesand reports inappropriate
form,essential for this study.
TENTATIVE CHAPTERIZATION
1.INTRODUCTION
2.BACKGROUND
Union Carbide India Limited
Process chemistry of carbamate pesticides
Available safety systems
Previous warnings and accidents at Bhopal
3. The leak
The leak timeline
Causes of the release
Leak development and gas dispersion
Emergency planning and response
4. Bhopal: Investigations and lessons
Introduction
They had it coming: Union Carbide‐ A history of negligence
Safety failures at Union Carbide’s plant: FACTS
5.legal issue and liability
6. Lessons and Observations from Bhopal
7.Conclusion
8.References
9. List of Tables and Figures:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The following sources were consulted to complete this proposal
➢Law of torts b yDr.R.kBangia
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➢Law of torts by Ratan lal and Dheeraj lal
WEBSITES:
1. https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-bhopal-gas-tragedy
2.https://www.lawteacher.net/lecture-notes/interference-with-goods.php
3.https://intellectualselfdefence.wordpress.com
4.http://www.lawnotes.in/Law_of_Torts
