MANGALORE : The fact that the government counsels in the Justice Somashekhar Commission hearing on church attacks, have not yet received their payment from the government.
This interesting aspect came to light during the Somashekhar Commission hearing in the city on Friday. After the session Justice Somashekhar held talks with the legal counsels wherein he emphasized the need for further hastening the hearing as the government has fixed the deadline on March 31 for the Commission to complete its hearing. He also requested the government counsel Prasanna Deshpande to request for an extension of term, with the government.
When scribes contacted Desphande after the proceedings, and asked if he would request for the same with the government, he reacted sharply saying” We cannot hear whatever the commission says. The government has not even made our payment until now. This being the case, will it hear our appeal to extend the Commission term ?”
Cops accused of stealing bike battery !
During Friday’s hearing, one of the witnesses told the Commission that he had a doubt that the police who had damaged his son’s bike that was parked near the Permannur church on September 15, 2008 and had then taken possession of it, had themselves stolen its battery, as it was missing when the bike was returned.
When the counsel for the police Narayana Reddy wanted to cross examine the witness, it was opposed by Ibrahim, the counsel for the witnesses. But Justice Somashekhar agreed for the cross examination as the witness had not mentioned about the battery theft in his affidavit though Ibrahim argued that the fact had been mentioned in the affidavit. Still Justice Somashekhar after hearing both sides allowed cross examination.
When Narayana Reddy questioned the witness if there was any record to prove that the police had seized the bike, the latter replied in the negative. When Justice Somashekhar asked Reddy if he had any information regarding the police seizing vehicles on that day, Reddy said some vehicles have been seized and it is yet to be verified. To this Justice Somashekhar asked Reddy to verify the facts.

Related news:

1. Justice Somashekhar resents police non-cooperation for probe
2. Somashekhar panel demands list of cops present during church attack
3. “Kadri inspector attacked Christians for no reason”
4. “Youth clad in saffron shawls were raising “Jai Bhajrangdal” slogans
5. Somashekhar Commission recommends govt to provide protection to religious places