To the panel’s observation that “the commissioner of police should have taken control of the control room,” and that “this would have prevented overlapping,” the government said: “The panel does not specify the instances of overlap. The remarks from the commissioner of police have not been taken on record and the commissioner was stationed at the regional control room created for the purpose. Till the end, he was in contact with different units and was controlling them.”

A spokesperson for the Taj Group also rejected the panel’s observations. “We continually review our security position on the basis of incoming intelligence and constantly liaise with all relevant security authorities to maintain appropriate levels of readiness and maintain a position of high security preparedness. Taj has always acted immediately on any security recommendations given to it by security forces,” the spokesperson told The Indian Express. Officials at The Oberoi and Trident did not respond to requests for comment.

Maharashtra Home Minister Jayant Patil said that the government had decided against making the full-report public as it contains “certain things that are highly confidential in nature” and pointed out that the government had already initiated action on the recommendations of the panel on improving the security system.

“We should keep in mind that the trial of Kasab is in progress and we don’t want to do anything that will affect the trial. The report includes some information that can’t be made public for security reasons. We have taken action according to the committee’s recommendations and tabled the ATR,” added Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

... contd.