The J-K government has extended the dates for the submission of final enquiry report of the Judicial Commission probing the murder and rape of two Shopian women last month. The request for the extension of date of was made by the Commission headed by retired Justice Muzaffar Jan.

“On the request made by Justice (retired) Muzaffar Jan, the Government has agreed to extend the term of submission of final enquiry report by Justice Jan Commission for further 10 days till July 10,2009,” a spokesman of the J-K government said.

The Judicial probe was ordered by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on June 2 and the Commission was asked to submit a report into the mysterious death of two women Nilofar and her sister in Law Asiya in Shopian in a month’s time. The Commission has already submitted an interim report on June 21 and on its recommendation four police officers including former SP Shopian Javid Iqbal Matoo, a senior officer in Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and two doctors have been suspended by the government so far.

Sources said that Justice Jan had sought the extension of ten days citing the ongoing strike in Shopian as a major reason for delay in completion of probe. “Many people who are willing to appear before the Commission have not been able to depose so far due to strike in Shopian which is continuing after the death of two women,” source said quoting Jan as having told to the government.

The Judicial Commission is finding answers for five questions that include circumstances and causes that led to the death of the two women, persons responsible, punishment, recommendation for remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and role of government agencies.

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