Netaji and Gumnami baba were same? Judicial panel to probe identity

Lucknow, Jun 29: A one-member judicial commission has been set up to probe the identity of 'Gumnami Baba', considered by many as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in disguise.

"Justice (retd) Vishnu Sahai will head the one-man commission, which is to submit its report in six months. The panel was set up after an Allahabad High Court order," a UP government official said.

A notification in this regard was issued by Principal Secretary Home, Debashish Panda yesterday.

'Gumnami Baba' (anonymous sage) lived in eastern Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad till 1985, and many believe he was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The high court in 2013 called 'Gumnami Baba' "an extraordinary person" and directed the government to set up a panel to end the controversy about his identity.

Baba spent the last 10 years of his life in Ayodhya and Faizabad and during his lifetime people believed he was none other than Netaji himself.

After his death in 1985, Netaji's niece Lalita Bose and Faizabad-based Subhas Chandra Bose Vichaar Manch moved court to ascertain his identity and protect his legacy.

The court had ordered that a memorial be constructed in three months to house articles left by Baba. It had also ordered setting up of a judicial commission.

The official said that the commission will have its main office in Lucknow and camp office in Faizabad.

PTI