Slow Work, Scramble to Extend Deadline: What is Happening at the Commission of Inquiry?

Discussions are underway regarding the extension of the term for the commission formed by the government under the chairmanship of former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki.

Formed in Bhadra with a three-month mandate, the commission’s term had already been extended by one month after it failed to complete its work. The commission now wishes to extend the deadline again, claiming that 80 percent of the report writing is finished. A few days ago, the commission met with Prime Minister Sushila Karki to request an additional two weeks.

The commission, which was tasked with identifying the main causes and those responsible for the loss of life and property from both the state and the protesters' sides, appeared to have made little progress and returned from field visits to districts after facing the ire of political leaders.

Meanwhile, the commission has faced criticism for appearing even more ineffective after it initially imposed location restrictions on then-Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, and Inspector General of Police Chandrakuber Khapung, only to lift those restrictions following their written statements.