The Liberhan Commission that was set up to fund out the truth behind the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 needs more time to wrap up its report.
The one-man commission comprising the former chief justice of the Madras High Court, Justice (retd) MS Liberhan, has asked the Home Ministry for another extension to be able to submit its report on its five-point terms of reference.
"The government has received another request for an extension from the commission," a senior home ministry official told HT. "It has promised to submit its report this time," the official said but was quick to add that this wasn't the first time that such an assurance was being given.
The commission was set up in 1992 by former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao within weeks of the demolition of the mosque.
The panel had been originally tasked to submit its report within three months.
But that was 15 years ago.
The commission has since been allowed over 42 extensions, turning it into the longest inquiry conducted by any commission in the country.
The inquiry has already cost the public exchequer nearly Rs 720 lakh.
On the other hand, the Srikrishna Commission that probed the riots following the Mumbai bomb blasts in 1993, did its job in five years.
On the other hand, the Srikrishna Commission that probed the riots following the Mumbai bomb blasts in 1993, did its job in five years.
The ministry is yet to take a decision to extend the Liberhan Commission's tenure but officials contend it hardly has a choice. "If the government does not extend the tenure, the commission would wind up without submitting a report and leave the government open to the charge of not just burying the truth but also wasting public funds," the home ministry official said.