Netaji died in 1945 plane crash: Centre in RTI reply

“This is irresponsible move... How can the government conclude Netaji’s death without concrete evidence?’’ asked Netaji’s grandnephew and Bengal BJP vice president Chandra Bose.

Netaji Subhas Bose, Subhas Bose death, Plane strike, RTI report, Indian express, India news, Latest news

After considering the reports of Shahnawaz Committee, Justice G D Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Enquiry, the Government has come to the conclusion that Netaji has died in plane crash in 1945.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash in Taiwan in 1945, the Centre has concluded. “After considering the reports of Shahnawaz Committee, Justice G D Khosla Commission and Justice Mukherjee Commission of Enquiry, the Government has come to the conclusion that Netaji has died in plane crash in 1945,’’ the Union home ministry said in response to a query under the Right To Information Act on Tuesday.

“Some information regarding Gumnami Baba and Bhagwanji is available in Mukherjee Commission report on page 114-122. This report is available in mha.nic.in. Mukherjee Commission had come to the conclusion that Gumnami Baba/Bhagwanji was not Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Ministry of Home Affairs has declassified all available files (37) relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.’’

Netaji’s family expressed its displeasure over the response. “This is irresponsible move… How can the government conclude Netaji’s death without concrete evidence?’’ asked Netaji’s grandnephew and Bengal BJP vice president Chandra Bose. He called it “highly objectionable” and added that they will have to take the matter up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It is he who declassified files after 70 years. During our meeting, he promised us to take the investigations to its logical conclusion and solve the mystery.’’

Bose asked how can the government conclude such a thing when their discussion process is on with Modi. “The declassified files are to be scrutinised. The Mukherjee Commission was set up because the reports of other committees and commissions were not conclusive,’’ he said. “Mukherjee Commission clearly stated that Netaji did not die in the plane crash and went to China or Russia. Congress rejected the Mukherjee Commission report on political grounds.’’

Open Platform for Netaji spokesperson Sayak Sen, who had filed the RTI query in March, said that they are shocked. “Had the government reached a conclusion, then why this process of declassifying files to know what happened to Netaji,’’ said Sen. “We were fighting to know the truth because there is no conclusive evidence of his death in the plane crash.’’ The family will take out a rally in Kolkata on August 18 and in Delhi in October to press for more action. A majority of Netaji’s family members and a large section of researchers believe that he did not die in the crash.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

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