J. Venkatesan
After 16 years, 399 sittings and 48 extensions
New Delhi: The Justice Liberhan Commission, which probed the sequence of events that led to the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, submitted its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram was present on the occasion.
Set up on December 16, 1992, the Commission was initially asked to give a report in three months. However, it could do so only after over 16 years that saw 399 sittings and 48 extensions. About Rs. 8 crore was spent on the Commission, including on salary.
The Commission was asked to probe the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts and circumstances relating to the occurrences in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 involving the destruction of the structure; the role played by the (then) Chief Minister, members of the Council of Ministers, officials of the Uttar Pradesh government and by individuals, organisations and agencies concerned or in connection with the destruction of the structure and deficiencies in security measures that might have contributed to the events that took place on December 6, 1992.
Asked about the contents of the report, Mr. Justice Liberhan told The Hindu: “I cannot say anything on the report. I can’t comment on it. I can only say that I have fully answered the terms of reference of the Commission.” On the reasons for delay, he said: “with due respect, all reasons are in the report.”
“I am a relieved man”
Asked whether he had named any BJP leader, he said: “I can’t comment on the report.” On whether the report would have any political overtones, he said: “No comments. I have done my duty. It is for the government to decide when to table the report in Parliament. I feel a relieved man. My burden is off. I am happy and my family is happy and I am now a free human being.”
The Commission, which began its effective sittings from January 1993, was kept in abeyance for two years because of certain interim orders passed by the Delhi High Court. It started regular hearing from 1995. It held its initial sittings in Lucknow and later shifted to Delhi.
It concluded the recording of evidence on January 22, 2003 and, after final arguments from counsel for the Centre, it could not proceed further as it was felt that examination of the former Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh, was needed first. Mr. Singh, who was reluctant to adduce evidence, finally gave his version through counsel.
The Commission examined 100 witnesses, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, the former Prime Ministers, Narasimha Rao and V.P. Singh and the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu. A request for summoning the former Prime Minister, Vajpayee, was not accepted by the Commission.
Also see
- >Narasimha Rao's book on Babri Masjid ready
- >`Babri masjid demolition made Asghar Ali a fundamentalist'
- >Vajpayee and the Babri Masjid
- >Milestones in the Babri Masjid demolition case,
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