New Delhi, July 1: The never-ending probe into the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya has just got another extension — its 46th.

The Justice M S Liberhan Commission, which was set up within 10 days of the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, has been given another three months to complete its inquiry into the circumstances leading to the tragic event which sparked off country-wide communal riots. A Home Ministry statement said the term of the Commission had been extended up to September 30, 2008.

The Commission, whose term was last extended on April 30 this year, has already incurred an expenditure of over Rs seven crore, Home Ministry sources said.

The Commission’s original term was just for three months, but 46 extensions over the years has already made it one of the longest running commissions of inquiry in the country.

The Commission has so far recorded the statements of senior BJP leaders including L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalyan Singh. Union Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal had told the Parliament during its last session that the panel would be given extension till it submitted its report.