SIT probing Kanpur ambush and related cases misses deadline

THE DELAY TOOK PLACE AFTER ONE OF THE THREE MEMBERS OF SIT CONTRACTED COVID AND HAD TO GO INTO QUARANTINE

LUCKNOW: Three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing nine different aspects of Kanpur ambush failed to submit its findings on the last day of the deadline on Monday. However, the SIT is likely to get another extension in the deadline from the state government, government sources said. The delay took place after one of the three members of SIT contracted Covid-19 and was forced to quarantine himself. The deadline for the SIT to complete probe and submit findings to the state government was earlier extended for four weeks last month to August 31, said senior state government officials. The SIT earlier had failed to submit its findings on July 31 after completion of 20 days time period allotted by the state government. The officials’ privy to the development said the state government allowed extra time of four weeks after going through reasons cited by the SIT for not being able to complete the probe. Besides, other government agencies had been asked to share details sought by the SIT as early as possible so that the probe could be completed within the time limit, they added. Earlier, the senior police officials had stated that the investigation could not be completed due to slow sharing of data and details sought by the SIT from different authorities. The SIT was set up on July 11 to investigate the incident in which gangster Vikas Dubey and his men killed eight police personnel during a failed raid at Bikru village in Kanpur early on July 3.