Chavan Govt forms panel to probe lapses

The issue had dominated legislature proceedings for two weeks with pandemonium and adjournments becoming the order of the day. The Opposition kept demanding ouster of Mumbai Commissioner of Police Hasan Gafoor and Director General of Police A N Roy and a probe into the alleged lapses by them.

Feeling the pressure, the Government had agreed to probe the matter, but had refused to commit itself to taking any action against the two top cops.

R D Pradhan, an IAS from Maharashtra cadre, was Union Home Secretary during Rajiv Gandhi’s prime ministership. He was also Governor of Arunachal Pradesh from 1987 to 1990. He has served as private secretary to former Union defence minister the late Y B Chavan and has authored the book Debacle to Revival — Y B Chavan as Defence Minister (1962-65)’.

Balachandran is an IPS of 1959 batch and is considered one of the top spies to have worked with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He worked in various countries like the US and France for 19 years and was also special secretary to RAW.

“The Chief Minister has consulted me on this matter. Myself and Balachandran were both consulted and we have given our consent,” Pradhan said.