Fmr Sikkim HC Chief Justice NK Jain to probe Padam Gurung death case

The one-man judicial inquiry committee set up by the Sikkim Government today, would submit its report in a month’s time

Former Sikkim High Court Chief Justice NK Jain would probe the death of student leader Padam Gurung.

The one-man judicial inquiry committee set up by the Sikkim Government today, would submit its report in a month’s time, the order issued by the office of Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Patahk notifying the setting up of the probe committee said.

Earlier in the day today, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang had announced that his government would set up a judicial inquiry committee to probe the death of the student leader. The CM had said this after visiting the residence of Gurung at Perbing village in Namchi district today.

Chief Minister Tamang also assured that whatever report the government receives from the committee, the report will be made public.

The judicial probe committee comes amid a lot of flak and criticism that the government has been drawing alleging poor investigation into the death case. Reacting to the criticism, Chief Minister Tamang said that it will not be right to blame the government.

“The government is working, moreover, I have declared an independent judiciary inquiry, which is the government’s declaration. The Opposition will try to politicise the issue, we cannot tell them not to politicise, but once the final report comes, only then the government will address on the issue.”

Affirming that the Police had swung into action immediately ever since the death case came to light, the Sikkim Chief Minister said that if anyone is found guilty, he or she will have to face action as per law.

The judicial committee has been set up even as a special investigation team was announced few days back to probe the death of the student leader whose body was found in a drain on June 28.
Chief Minister Tamang said, “There were many opinions that the investigation carried out was not satisfactory, hence we formed the special investigation team. This is being overseen by Special DGP Akshaya Sachdeva. We transferred the SP thereafter and now there is a new team, which will need some time to investigate. If anyone is behind his death, we will not leave them.”

Padam Gurung was the President of Student Representative Council of Sikkim Government College, Kamrang in Namchi district of Sikkim.

Also Read : Padam Gurung death case: Govt to set up Judicial Inquiry Committee to investigate case

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