The Supreme Court issued contempt notices to Centre and Madhya Pradesh Government over Bhopal Gas Tragedy, citing non-compliance with 2012 orders on victims’ medical care and rehabilitation.
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NEW DELHI: On September 26, 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to top government officials, including the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, and the Principal Secretary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief & Rehabilitation Department. These notices were issued in response to a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with the Court’s 2012 directives to improve medical care for Bhopal gas tragedy victims and to computerise their medical records.
Background of the Case
The contempt proceedings arise out of Writ Petition No. 50 of 1998, Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangathan v. Union of India, in which the Supreme Court had issued detailed directions on August 9, 2012. These directions focused on systematic medical care for gas victims and mandated that the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Jabalpur Bench, oversee the implementation process.
Despite these directives, more than a decade later, compliance remains elusive. The petitioners filed the first contempt plea in 2015, but no significant punitive action has been taken against defaulting authorities. The matter has dragged on for years, leaving thousands of victims without proper medical facilities.
Key Allegations in the Contempt Petition
- Monitoring Committee Reports Ignored: The Monitoring Committee, first set up in 2004 and later reconstituted in 2013 under Justice V.K. Agarwal (Retd.), has submitted 21 reports recommending specific steps. However, these reports have been largely ignored by authorities.
- Vacant Medical Posts and Staff Shortages: The Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) faces an acute shortage of doctors and faculty members. Despite repeated warnings by the High Court, the Union Government has failed to expedite recruitment. Notably, in 2017, the High Court observed deliberate delays in filling vacancies and non-framing of recruitment rules.
- Incomplete Computerisation of Medical Records: Although the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and BMHRC claim that computerisation is complete, the Monitoring Committee has pointed out that the system is neither patient-centric nor provides a comprehensive treatment history, rendering it practically ineffective.
- Repeated Judicial Warnings Ignored: Since 2013, the High Court has consistently warned of coercive action against authorities. In its most recent remark on January 6, 2025, the High Court criticized the “callous approach” of the State, stating that it appeared the authorities were not serious about completing the work.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
A bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice A.S. Chandurkar heard the contempt petition and issued notices to the concerned officials. The Court has scheduled the matter for hearing on November 14, 2025.
Case Title:
BHOPAL GAS PEEDITH MAHILA UDYOG SANGHATHAN AND ANR. v. PUNYA SALILA SRIVASTAVA AND ORS
W.P.(C) No. 50/1998
Read Order: