Despite extension, Jha panel receives only 14 complaints

We want the victims and witnesses to record their complaints with the panel. If they don’t, we will not be able to serve them justice. They will have to take part in the probe. JUSTICE SN JHA (RETD), head, Jha commission

ROHTAK: More than 1,500 cases were registered in Haryana districts during the Jat stir for reservation in February. However, the two-member commission of inquiry, headed by justice SN Jha (retd), former chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir high court, to probe the sequence of events leading to violence during the agitation has received only 14 complaints so far.

This is after the commission extended its time frame to receive complaints from general public and victims of violence till July 31. The commission had issued a public notice on June 17, inviting complaints within 30 days. However, it said it did not receive any complaints in that time, due to which it extended the period.

“We want the victims and eyewitnesses to reach to the commission and record their complaints. If they won’t, we will not be able to serve them justice. They will have to participate in it with us,” said Jha, while talking to mediapersons in here on Saturday.

“We have received only three complaints from Rohtak — the epicentre of the violent agitation that witnessed loss of lives and property worth thousands of crores of rupees,” he said, adding that no complaints were received from Murthal, where the confusion over alleged gangrapes during the agitation still prevails.

However, unlike Prakash Singh committee, which was formed to inquire into acts of omission and commission on the part of police and civil administration officers, went to all the affected districts and learned the complaints of public in private durbar, Jha panel wants the public to reach them to Gurgaon in their office. “People can also send their complaints by post to the commission at state vigilance office in Sector 47, Gurgaon,” Jha said.

Meanwhile, experts questioned if setting up the commission this late will convince people to send their complaints to the commission, when most of the victims have been compensated by the government. They also questioned if findings of the commission will lead to anything major since most of the officials indicted by Prakash Singh committee in its report continue to enjoy same positions in the administration and police services.