NEW DELHI, 24 April — A interesting turn has been given to developments related to the Srikrishna Commission Report by a crucial statement issued by the Supreme Court of India.
This was in response to a petition filed against the Union of India and others (including the state of Maharashtra) by the Committee for Implementation of the Srikrishna Commission Report.
Srikrishna Commission was formed to inquire into the riots which took place in Bombay following the demolition of Babari Masjid in Ayodhya on Dec. 6, 1992, had submitted its report on Feb. 16, 1998. However, till date no action has been taken for implementation of the reports recommendations.
The statement of the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice A.S. Anand has given eight weeks time to the respondent party to submit a report on whether any steps have been taken to implement recommendations of Srikrishna Commission or not. The apex courts statement bears crucial importance because it brings into limelight the apathy shown by the Union of India, including the state of Maharashtra regarding implementation of commission’s report.
What is equally note worthy is that the court has asked the respondents to submit a reply to its questions within a specific time period. Clearly, the court has chosen to strike strongly with its judicial hammer the respondents for sleeping over the commission’s report. The court has ordered the respondent party to submit a report on the task forces that may have been formed in this regard. The court statement has also asked them to submit a report on whether charge sheets have been filed against the guilty parties or not.
The guilty parties include two policemen, R.D. Tyagi held responsible for killing nine innocent Muslims in Suleman Usman Bakery and Nikhil Kapse who killed six Muslims inside Hari Masjid.
Detailed explanation has been sought by the court on the kind of action taken against the guilty persons. Complaint of the petitioners is that action against those guilty is still in the preliminary stages. The petitioners submitted that though commission recommended action against 31 policemen officers, FIR has been filed against only seven policemen. However, seven of these have not been either suspended or arrested.
Respondents have also been asked by the court to submit a report on whether all the riot-victims recommended for compensation by the Srikrishna Commission Report have been awarded compensation or not. According to the petitioners, of the 173 entitled to compensation only 40 have been paid compensation till date.
