LIBERHAN COMMISSION GETS 44TH EXTENSION

The Liberhan Commission, probing the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, has got yet another extension. The commission’s term has been extended for another two months, i.e. until April 30, 2008. With this the total number of extensions given to this commission has gone up to 44. The commission, headed by retired Justice M.S. Liberhan, has not come out with its findings even after over 15 years of its existence. The commission has earned the dubious distinction of becoming one of the longest and costliest commissions that has ever been appointed. Till now, the government has spent over Rs. 7 crores on the commission.

According to a report, during its long-drawn proceedings, the commission has recorded the statements of some leading BJP politicians, like Mr. L.K. Advani, Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi and Mr. Kalyan Singh. The commission’s tenure has not been without its share of controversy. Its counsel, Mr. Anupam Gupta, for instance, had accused Justice Liberhan of asking him to tone down his questioning of Mr. Advani.