The Supreme Court on Wednesday considered an application concerning the disbursal of compensation to victims of the May 2022 Bharat Rasayan industrial accident in Bharuch, Gujarat, which claimed eight lives and left 29 persons injured.

The matter was before the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana. During the hearing, the Court was informed that an amount of around ₹24.18 crore was invested in a fixed deposit, which was due to mature on September 17, 2026. The application sought directions concerning renewal of the fixed deposit and eventual disbursal of the amount.

Counsel referred to the Supreme Court’s earlier orders, particularly the August 7 order, submitting that the amount was required to be disbursed and that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) was the nodal agency for facilitating the process. The Court noted that some of the victim claimants had earlier been stated to be “not readily traceable.” It indicated that the State machinery, including the GPCB and other concerned authorities, could assist in identifying the victims, their family members or legal heirs so that the compensation could be disbursed to the appropriate persons.

The proceedings stem from the May 17, 2022 accident at Bharat Rasayan’s Unit-II in Bharuch. The NGT, while deciding the environmental proceedings, had recorded that the accident resulted in eight deaths and 29 injuries and found that adequate preventive measures had not been taken. It also directed additional compensation to the legal heirs of deceased victims upon proper identification. The NGT had further imposed ₹13.3 crore as environmental damage compensation on the company, directing its utilisation towards environmental improvement and restoration.