Netaji bose files: No closure as yet but process has commenced, says researcher

New Delhi, Jan 23: Whether the de-classification of the files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will bring about a closure to the mystery surrounding his death is yet to be seen.

While members of the Bose family and researchers have welcomed the move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they also state that the process has just begun.

A clear picture relating to the death of Netaji Bose lies in the files of the KGB in Russia says Anuj Dhar, a leading researcher on Bose and also the author of the book, "India's biggest cover up."

Dhar who was at the National Archives where 100 files were de-classified tells OneIndia that for us to expect the KGB files relating to Netaji Bose to be made public, we need to first de-classify the files of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing.

Still a long way to go

On the files that have been de-classified today, Dhar says that it may not bring out a clear picture on the mystery surrounding his death. However this is just the start and there are many more files which will be de-classified. He also said that the PM has assured to release 25 files every month.

There are 15,000 pages in the files that have been de-classified today and I am yet to go through them in detail. I have seen many of these files with the commission of inquiry that was set up to probe the mystery surrounding the death of Netaji.

Dhar however adds that there are clear indications that Netaji had not died in a plane crash, but had gone to Russia.

Dhar says that for us to know the truth behind the Russia episode the KGB files have to be de-classified. However we cannot expect Russia to de-classify those files unless those with our IB and R&AW are made public first.

There will be a lot more details in the IB and R&AW files and we are hoping that the same will be made public in due course of time, Dhar also adds.

However, what is also important here is that we have managed to bring about a change. Full marks to the PM for de-classifying the files.

India is not known to have a de-classification policy. This is a step towards transparency and that is what we will take from it for now. As I pointed out the process has commenced and there is still some time to go before the mystery behind the death of Netaji is solved, Dhar also adds.

OneIndia News