July 3: The curtains has come down on the 50-month-old Srikrishna commission with the completion of the recording of evidences here today. The commission, according to Justice B N Srikrishna, will spell out its recommendations by September this year.

Established on January 23, 1993, shortly after communal riots ravaged the city, the commission had its first hearing on April 28, 1993. Former additional chief secretary Jambunathan Sriniwas Iyer was the first witness before the inquiry commission. The commission has so far examined 502 witnesses, including prominent politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, police officers and common citizens.

The commission saw many ups and downs during four years of existence. The Sena government wound up the commission immediately after it came to power in the state. But following stiff resistance from many quarters, the government reinstated the commission. Even two months ago, the state government tried to scuttle the commission's progress by claiming privilege of certain documents demanded by the commission. Though the inquiry began at a sluggish pace, the court was abuzz with activities in the last six months. As he completed the last day of hearing, Justice Srikrishna hoped to complete the Herculean task of writing down the report within two months. He will still be admitting applications till the end of July. Counsels representing various sides requested that the date be extended till August 15, but the judge made it clear that he is not prepared to allow any cross examination.The commission is only a fact-finding body and does not have any adjudicatory powers. Perhaps this is why the judge wryly remarked after completing the last hearing: ``I want to finish the report by mid-September. Incidentally, this coincides with the day everyone immerses Ganesh idols in the Arabian sea.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.