From the Archives (July 30, 1969): No judicial probe into murder

The Union Home Minister, Mr. Y.B. Chavan, turned down in the Lok Sabha to-day [July 29, New Delhi] a demand for the appointment of a judicial commission to inquire into the murder of the Jan Sangh leader, Mr. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya. (The Special Sessions Judge has acquitted the accused of the charge of murder). The question of appointment of a judicial commission or committee would arise only after the U.P. Government decided whether to go in appeal against the Special Session Judge’s verdict or not, Mr. Chavan said while replying to a calling attention notice tabled by Mr. A.B. Vajyapee and four other members. The notice reminded the Home Minister of the demand made by more than 70 members of Parliament that a judicial commission vested with necessary and effective powers should be appointed to find out the facts regarding the murder. Mr. Chavan told Mr. Vajpayee that it would be an embarrassing situation if the U.P. Government were to go in appeal to a higher Court after the Centre decided to appoint a judicial commission. The Centre had examined the judgement of the Special Judge and forwarded its view to the U.P. Government.