The term of the commission ends on December 31, but it hasn't sought an extension yet
The Commission probing the 2009 hooch tragedy, which had claimed 136 lives in Ahmedabad, is expected to submit its report to the state government next week.
The term of the Commission, headed by retired high court judge, Justice Kamal Mehta, is expiring on December 31. However, the Commission has not sought an extension, which is an indicator that the report may be submitted before its term expires on December 31, i.e., next week.
“For the purpose of administrative ease, enquiry commissions usually file for an extension at least 10 days before their term is expiring. But, the Mehta Commission has not sought an extension so far,” said a government official. During the course of inquiry, the Commission has recorded statements of a number of police officials, victims' family members, doctors and FSL experts. When contacted, Justice (retired) Kamal Mehta told DNA, “The probe report is in advanced stages of finalisation, but I cannot commit whether it would be submitted next week. We will inform you once the report has been submitted to the state government.”
Justice Mehta declined to give any further details, but according to reliable sources, the Commission is believed to have blamed negligence of police officers for the killer hooch tragedy. In its report, the Commission is also likely to recommend various measures to prevent recurrence of such an incident.
Once submitted to the state government, the report would be tabled in the state assembly in the coming budget session, said officials.
A total of 136 persons, mostly residents of Odhav, Amraiwadi, Raipur, Bapunagar, among others, had died in a matter of days when in the July 2009 hooch tragedy. The deaths led to a major uproar, with opposition demanding resignation of CM Modi. This was followed by a major police crackdown on illegal liquor network, with police raiding thousands of premises and arresting hundreds of bootleggers.
In the wake of the deaths, state government came up with a bill proposing death penalty for those guilty of manufacturing, selling and supplying of hooch which results in death. The bill was approved by Governor Dr Kamla last month.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}