Bhopal: SIMI encounter probe panel chief hasn't resigned, term extended

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Retired high court judge SK Pandey continues to head the panel that is conducting probe into the encounter of the SIMI members in Bhopal last year.

There were reports in sections of media that Pandey had resigned. However, the State government has made clear that the chairman of the probe panel hasn't resigned--the reports in this regard are wrong, and he continues to be in office. 

The reports suggested that he was unhappy as there was lack of cooperation from the government and certain officials. Hence, he had quit the probe panel and left Bhopal suddenly, the reports said.

But the State government has said that he continues to head the probe panel and its term has been extended by six months. Initially, the panel was supposed to conduct the inquiry in a period of three months.

The duration was ending on February 6. As the panel started functioning late and is yet to record statements of many officials, the term has been extended by another six months. The encounter had taken place after the jailbreak in Bhopal central jail.