Press Statement
3 October 2023

Today, the authorised representative of Dow Chemical USA, Ms. Amy Wilson has filed a so-called partial appearance before the court of Hon. VII CIVIL JUDGE-I Vidhan Maheshwari through its lawyers. Dow filed a one page memo stating that Bhopal Court does not have jurisdiction over the corporation as it is an American corporation and it sought more time from the court.

The Hon’ble Judge also listened to the argument of the lawyer of Bhopal Group for Information & Action, Mr. Avi Singh who stated that under criminal jurisprudence there is no such thing as ‘partial appearance’. He further added that if Dow is not challenging the summons of the Bhopal District court then it cannot enter into partial appearance and if the Authorised Representative does not appear in person then the court has the power to issue a bailable warrant and/or proceed to hear the application in absentia of Dow Chemical.

Judge Maheshwari will pronounce its decision on 6 October 2023 and the next date of hearing is 25 November 2023.

Survivor organisations were disgusted to see that the lawyer of Dow Chemical, (corporation that continues to shield the butchers of Bhopal) facilitated by the Bar Council.

Bhopal survivors stood with banners which said, “25000 Dead and Counting in Bhopal / CBI Must Secure Punishment of Dow Chemical owner of Killer Carbide” and “Dow Chemical sheltered Killer Carbide for 22 years. / CBI Must Secure Punishment of Dow Chemical”

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