Madhya Pradesh High Court orders media not to publish fake news on Union Carbide waste disposal

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday ordered the media to not publish any news reports that may create fear and confusion among the public regarding disposal of waste taken from the Union Carbide Factory site at Bhopal to Pithampur..The Division Bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain passed the order after the State government told the Court that protests had broken out at Pithampur due to alleged misreports about hazards of the waste disposal.“The Print Media and Electronic Media are directed not to publish any fake news in the matter of disposal of waste material which is not real or not based on any foundation/evidence,” the Court ordered..Thousands of lives were lost and over one lakh people were affected by the toxic gas leak in the Union Carbide Plant in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.In December 2024, the High Court had ordered the State to take all remedial measures for removal and safe disposal of the entire toxic waste from the area concerned.“They are still in state of inertia despite 40 years from the date of gas tragedy. Though plan has been sanctioned, contract has been awarded, but still the authorities are in inertia that may lead to another tragedy to take shape before acting further,” the Court had said while hearing a petition pending since 2004..Advocate General Prashant Singh today told the Court that the waste loaded in 12 fire-proof and leak-proof containers was transported on the night of January 1. The transportation was carried out with the support of police and administration including and with the support of doctors, fire brigade staff and reserved team of skilled laborers. The State also submitted that a green corridor was created for transporting the waste.However, the Court was told there was a huge public outcry due to rumors that another industrial disaster may take place due to unloading and disposal of the waste. .The State said it has issued directions to various officials to take steps to dispel the rumours by giving factual information. It sought six weeks time to gain public confidence in this regard. “It is assured by the State that they will perform their duties and obligations and will take the public of Pithampur into confidence for the same,” the Court recorded.The State also said they may be permitted to unload the material. However, the Court clarified that since the State has already been directed to dispose of the waste as per norms, no further order is required in respect of unloading.“It is the prerogative of the respondent State to unload and dispose of the same as per the direction of the Court," it said..Meanwhile, the Court directed the State to take into consideration all safety measures while complying with the order to dispose of the waste."We grant further six weeks to comply with order dated December 3, 2024," it further ordered.