Hooch tragedy: Probe panel term extended

The four-member commission had sought for an extension,saying that it could not complete the inquiry. The tragedy had,between July 5 and August 3,claimed over 150 lives and left 240 others hospitalised.

The Commission had issued a notification in newspapers on October 1 inviting information and feedback,especially from those affected. It had issued 300 notices,but by November 30,only 147 people had come forward with their affidavits,most of them being women,said commission member Dr Kirit Mithawala. The responses were expected within three weeks of the notification.

Dr Mithawala said the commission,through its 26-page questionnaire,will get responses from victims,police,hospitals and voluntary organisations in the coming days.

The commission was set up after an uproar in the city and the state Legislative Assembly.

The notification had asked the affected people to furnish information on the role played by the police,the state of medical facilities at three municipal corporation-run hospitals as well as the Civil Hospital besides the role of bootleggers and anti-social elements.

Mithawala said: “Once all the affidavits are received,we will begin cross-examination of the respondents. We will suggest reduction in emergency medical response time to ‘golden hours’,which are the most precious six hours faced by a hooch victim.”

He further said,“Unlike commissions appointed in the past,we will go deeper into various aspects,including police efficiency and the prohibition policy.”

Sensitive issues like liquor distribution during election campaigns,role of police in the distribution network and the extent of corruption will also be addressed,said Mithawala. He added that the commission members would meet even bootleggers and police officers to arrive at right conclusions.

Besides Justice (retd) Mehta,the four-member Commission includes retired Director General of Police G C Raigar,Deputy Director of the Forensic Sciences Laboratory Dr Mohinder Singh Dahiya and Dr Kirit Mithawala,a surgeon at M P Shah Cancer Hospital in Ahmedabad.