The term of the G. T. Nanavati–Akshay Mehta Judicial Enquiry Commission, which is probing the Godhra train carnage and the post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, has been further extended till December-end.
It was expected to submit its final report before its current term expires on March 31.
However, the further extension, this time by nine months, indicates that the final report might be synchronised with Assembly elections, due in December. It was the first time that the Commission's term has been extended by nine months in one stroke. So far the Commission has been granted 18 six-monthly extensions since its formation in April, 2002. It had submitted an interim report exclusively dealing with the train carnage which, it held as a “pre-planned conspiracy” and deliberate action by some local anti-social elements belonging to the minority community, and gave a clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the State administration.
