SC inquires about riot panel report implementation

SC inquires about riot panel report implementation
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, FEB 26: Three years after the Srikrishna Commission report on the Mumbai riots created a furore in the State Assembly, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Maharashtra Government about steps taken to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

``The Maharashtra Government will file an affidavit disclosing action taken prior to July 21, 2000, and also steps taken after July, 2000 till date to implement the recommendations of the Commission,'' a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice A S Anand, Justice R C Lahoti and Justice Brijesh Kumar said.

On July 21, 2000, the apex court, while hearing the case had severely criticised certain Central Ministers for speaking in different tones. Giving a clarificatory stand on behalf of the Centre, Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee said the Union Government had nothing to do with the Commission's report as its implementation as well as follow-up action squarely fell within the domain of the state government.

The Court said the decision to implement as well as take follow-up action squarely fell within the domain of the Maharashtra Government. The Court, while directing the state government to file a proper affidavit, adjourned the case by seven weeks.