By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Justice (retired) SP Rajkhowa inquiry commission would not seek any extension to complete its probe into the Shillong jailbreak incident two years ago.
“I would try my best to see the task assigned to the inquiry commission is complete at the earliest. I have time till October 16 to complete my job,” Rajkhowa told The Shillong Times here on Sunday.
While pointing out the various factors leading to the undue delay in the inquiry into the sensational jailbreak, he said Justice (retired) D Biswas’s quitting the probe mid-way was a prime reason for the delay.
“The Government took some time to decide on a new judge to head the inquiry,” Rajkhowa said.
Appointment of Supreme Court lawyer KTS Tulsi as Government counsel in the case also made it difficult for the Commission to fix the hearings as it has to look into the availability of the lawyer.
“We cannot fix the hearing when he (Tulsi) is not able to attend it,” Rajkhowa said.
The retired judge of Gauhati High Court also attributed the delay to several days taken for cross-examination of only one witness.
Nearly 11 hearings had to be conducted for cross-examination of former Jaintia Hills SP MK Singh, who is now the SP of South Garo Hills.
Justice (retd) Rajkhowa said since Singh is no longer in charge of Jaintia Hills, the records of Jowai police station are no longer under his custody and the commission would have to wait for some time to examine the records.
He also said he cannot ask the legal counsels of the Government and the SCAMoD to stop cross-examination of the witnesses since “they have to be satisfied with all their questions being answered”.
“My job is to acquire all the relevant facts related to this case. After submitting the report to the Government my job is over.” Rajkhowa said.
The next hearing of the jailbreak inquiry commission would be held on Monday.