Srikrishna Commission completes inquiry into riots

The Srikrishna Commission on Thursday completed its inquiry into the December 1992-January 1993 riots in Bombay, following the Babri Masjid demolition.

The hearing, cross-examinations and depositions have been completed. However, an extension has been given for filing written submissions up to July 31, 1997, whereafter the Commission, headed by Justice B N Srikrishna, will submit its report to the government.

The Commission, which was scrapped after the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government assumed office in the state, was revived by the A B Vajpayee government at the Centre on May 26,1996.

The total expenditure incurred by the commission up to October 1996 was Rs 8.7 million. As many 503 witnesses, including 172 policemen, deposed before the Commission. Among the witnesses were two former chief ministers, Sudhakar Naik and Sharad Pawar, and Chief Minister Manohar Joshi.

UNI

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