Wadhwa Commission to submit report in June

Patnaik said the commission had constituted a six-member investigating team comprising officers of the rank of inspector general of police, deputy inspector general of police, deputy commissioner of police and assistant commissioner of police.

The team, which worked night and day to complete the investigation, had already submitted a preliminary report to the commission. Their final report was expected to be ready by the month-end or the first week of June, he said.

Patnaik said till date, 34 witnesses had deposed before the commission, which was likely toexamine 10 more witnesses.

The current round of hearings would be completed tomorrow and the next round would probably begin on May 17, he said.

was likely to examine ten more witnesses.

The commission felt that the prime accused in the case, Dara Singh, should be given an opportunity to air his views, the secretary said, while seeking to convey to the accused through the media that he 8220;project his innocence, if any, before the commission, which was the best platform available to him.8221;

The commission had already issued a notice in local newspapers urging Dara Singh to appear before it either in person or through his authorised representative.

When newspersons pointed out that Dara Singh may be apprehending arrest if he appeared in person, or that his representative may be intimidated by the police.

The secretary said the commission had the power to give them protection but added Dara Singh 8220;should not consider himself beyond the law8221;. He would be nabbed 8220;one day or the other8221;, he said,adding there was no point in his not appearing before the commission.

The commission would also like to give an opportunity to political parties whose names had cropped up during the hearings. They were free to explain their position before the commission, the secretary said.