Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday announced a two-member commission, to be headed by former Chief Justice of Kolkata High Court J.N. Patel, to probe the January 1 Bhima-Koregaon riots. Chief Secretary Sumit Mullick will be the second member. The commission will hand over it’s report within four months.
Following the riots at Bhima-Koregaon, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced to conduct an inquiry through a sitting judge and a letter regarding this was given to acting Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Vijaya Tahilramani on January 4, 2018. Her reply on February 6, 2018 however recommended three retired judges instead of an acting judge.
“Based on her recommendation, former CJ of Kolkata High Court was requested and a committee under commission of inquiry act was set up by the state government,” said an official from the home department.
The commission will probe into happenings at Bhima-koregaon on January 1, 2018 and the circumstances led to the situation; whether any person or group of people were responsible to the incidence; were district administration and police authorities prepared to handle the situation resulted after the incident; and whether police took right steps to handle the situation. The commission will fix the responsibility based on above points. It will also suggest permanent and immediate steps to be taken to avoid such incidents.
The commission can call any person for inquiry and the proceedings will be judicial in nature
