L-G might say no to judicial probe into Batla encounter

A magisterial inquiry into the September 19 encounter at Batla House seems highly unlikely with Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna refusing to sanction it,official sources said. Ranjan Mukherjee,spokesperson of the L-G office,said,“I have no knowledge of this matter. I can confirm only tomorrow.”

Two persons,allegedly involved in the September 13 serial blasts in the Capital,were killed in the encounter in which Special Cell Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma died.

The incident,which triggered a public furore,reached the Delhi High Court with NGO Act Now for Harmony and Democracy demanding a judicial inquiry.

Hearing the case on January 22,a Bench led by Chief Justice A P Shah had sought an explanation from the police about the delay in the inquiry. The police had said the L-G was looking into the matter,and a judicial probe could begin only after the L-G’s mandatory sanction.