Judicial probe begins into SIMI jailbreak, encounter

BHOPAL: Almost one month after Madhya Pradesh government's notification, Justice SK Pandey Commission started its probe into the sensational jail break by eight SIMI activists from the Bhopal central prison and their alleged encounter. It took almost a month for the state government to provide an office for the commission to start its work.
Noteworthy that this commission - which has a strict tenure of three months - has already lost 30 days for want of office.Justice Pandey will have to probe all aspects related to how SIMI activists escaped from the high security jail and the encounter that took place, in two months.
Justice Pandey reached Bhopal and assumed charge in his office at Vindhyachal Bhawan on Monday. He distributed work among the sub-ordinates and also apprised the state government about other basic requirements of his office which are additionally required, said sources.
The government had announced a judicial commission, headed by Justice (retd) SK Pandey, five days after the escape and encounter on the night of October 30.
Notification regarding this commission was issued on November 7.
Forensic experts fear that the delay has increased the risk of losing evidence. "Had the police action been adequate there wouldn't have been any need for a judicial probe! It was constituted to ensure that there is no impartiality in investigation," a source pointed out. Important for Justice Pandey is to streamline and complete the probe within stipulated time period. He has been provided with two secretaries besides the other support staff, added the source.
Earlier in the night of October 30, eight alleged SIMI activists had escaped from the Bhopal central jail after killing a jail guard, however within a few hours they were killed in an alleged exchange of fire with police at Acharpura village.