A two member panel constituted by the National Human Rights Commission to look into the complaints alleging violation of Human Rights by the Joint Special Task Force set up to apprehend sandal wood smuggler Veerapan has submitted its report on 2nd December 2003. < Taking note of the complaints received from various individuals and non-governmental organizations of torture and harassment caused to the villagers and tribals in the area of operation of the Joint Special Task Force set up by the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka government, the NHRC had on 18th June 1999 decided to constitute a panel to look into all relevant aspects of the allegations made in the complaints. The panel was required to recommend to the NHRC, action that could be taken to redress the grievances that are found to be justified.

The panel was constituted on 28 June 1999 and comprised of Justice A.J. Sadashiva, former Judge of the High Court of Karnataka as Chairman and Shri C.V. Narasimhan, former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation as a Member of the Panel. The State Governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were requested to extend all cooperation and assistance including placing the services of appropriate officers at the disposal of the Panel for conducting enquires, investigations, etc .The Panel was requested to submit its recommendations at an early date. The Panel, after seeking certain clarifications from the Commission about the scope of the work entrusted to it and examining witnesses and holding hearings, has finally submitted their report on the 2nd December 2003 to the Chairman.

The report of enquiry is now being examined and the Full Commission will consider further course of action.
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