Battling charges over escape of Warren Anderson days after the Bhopal tragedy, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday sought to give a new spin on the issue, saying Arjun Singh took the decision on then Union Carbide chief executive officer's exit keeping in view the law and order situation.
"The statement made by Singh as Madhya Pradesh chief minister five days after the Bhopal disaster had been published in a newspaper," he told the media.
"It is very clear from the statement of Arjun Singh, which was published in an English daily on December 8, 1984, that the law and order situation in Bhopal would have deteriorated and people's frenzy and temper were running high.
Therefore, it was thought necessary to send him (Anderson) out of Bhopal," he said.
He was asked if the Congress was trying to shield Singh on the issue of exit of Anderson from the country.
On whether the government was considering Anderson's extradition to India, Mukherjee said the government would look into the legal avenues available for the possible extradition.
"Though we cannot comment on the court judgement, we have to go to a higher judiciary where there is an appellate provision. We will appeal there," he said.