Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry gets another extension till May 31

It may be recalled that widespread violence took place in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, during the 200th commemoration of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. One person had died and several others were left injured in the riots.

The state government constituted a two-member commission headed by retired high court judge Justice J N Patel on February 9, 2018. Former chief secretary Sumit Mallick is the second member of the commission.

Initially, the commission was given four months’ time to conduct the inquiry and submit its report. But its tenure had to be repeatedly extended to allow it to complete its work. The commission could not function during the Covid pandemic. The last extension was granted till February 28, 2025.

V V Palnitkar, the commission’s secretary, said that a status report was submitted to the government seeking more time for completing the work. “Now that the extension has been granted, the further schedule of the commission will be announced shortly. Examination of witnesses has been done and final arguments are being recorded,” said Palnitkar.

While granting the fresh extension, the government has asked the commission to complete its work and submit the final report by May 31, 2025. This is the 17th extension given to the commission.

So far, the commission has recorded statements from over 50 witnesses, who include villagers from Koregaon Bhima and Vadhu Budruk, senior politicians like Sharad Pawar, Prakash Ambedkar, government and police officials and activists.

The commission has been conducting its hearing in Pune. The recent hearings were held from February 21 to 25. Lawyers representing different witnesses and parties are submitting their final arguments to the commission.