THE Supreme Court’s decision to re-examine its 1996 judgment that mellowed the charges against the guilty in the Bhopal gas disaster is going to be balm to the deep wounds thousands of victims suffered.

It means retrial of the seven accused, including then Union Carbide India (UCI) chairman Keshub Mahindra, who were sentenced to two years jail by Bhopal trial court judge last June. A notice will also be issued to Mr Warren Anderson, then chairman of parent company Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) who is a pronounced absconder. Lighter punishment in the case amounted to a ridicule of the gravity of the tragedy. And the Government of India has now got a good reason to compel the Obama administration to allow extradition of Mr Anderson for trial in India. If the Americans want to do business in India they must obey its judiciary.