Liberhan panel can't probe attack on media: Centre

The Liberhan Commission cannot investigate the alleged assault on media personnel during the demolition of Babri Masjid, the Centre contended on Friday.

It also termed the report commissioned by the Press Council of India on the incident as contrary to law.

Centre's counsel before the Liberhan Commission, Lala Ram Gupta, said the PCI-constituted Sarkaria Commission's report on the assault on media should not be taken into account by the Commission as the Press Council of India Act puts a bar on the PCI from probing a matter pending before a court or inquiry commission.

"Thus, as per the settled law, the PCI report is in total nullity," he told the Commission probing the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

Sarkaria Commission in its findings had said the attack on media personnel was pre-planned in Ayodhya.

Gupta said the Sarkaria Commission report could not be considered as evidence before the Liberhan Commission as neither notice was issued nor opportunity given to other parties.