Plea for Unraveling Netaji Bose Death Mystery

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is one of the legendary figures of Indian freedom struggle, who ignited the Indian mind with his passion and patriotism. He established INA (Indian National Army) and led the armed struggle against Britain to unshackle Mother India of the Imperial bondage and slavery. Netaji, who coined Jai Hind', influenced every Indian with his ideas. Be it the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny in 1946 or the events following it, Netaji's influence is clearly palpable.


It has been reported that Netaji Subhash Bose died in an air crash in Taipei. Doubts have been cast about the air crash right from the beginning. Numerous reports, documents and other forms of evidence suggested that the air crash story was planted for subverting the attention of Allied troops, which were on a hunt for Netaji. The demand for unraveling this mystery has been gaining strength since the late 1940s. Finally, succumbing to public pressure, the Government of India has instituted two commissions of enquiry in 1956 and 1974 respectively to probe the alleged death of Netaji. Both the enquiries turned out to be a mere eye wash before public. In spite of the existence of several evidences obtained through the interrogation of the Hospital authorities, inspection of the site of the air crash, testimonies of the air field authorities, intelligence officers to prove that the air crash never existed, the enquiries concluded that Netaji died in the air crash, with out proper backing and reasoning. The Government of India headed by the Janata Party, has rejected the reports of these enquiry commissions.


Mounting public pressure and a directive from the Calcutta High Court that the death mystery of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose be resolved once for all, compelled the Government of India to set up the third enquiry commission headed by Justice Mukherjee. This commission has unraveled several important and astonishing facts. Taipei authorities have officially conveyed to the Mukherjee commission that the air crash supposed to have killed Netaji Bose never existed. Some Indian researchers have done extensive research on Russian intelligence agency (KGB) archives, which have been declassified in early 90s. According to Indian researchers, the files of the KGB have several leads to prove that Netaji was in Russia after 1945. Documents of the US National archive and records administration have also reinforced the fact that Netaji didn't die in 1945.


The current UPA Government has decided to terminate the tenure Mukherjee commission, stating that the commission has been a burden on the Indian exchequer and that it has been a waste of public money. It is such a pity that the leaders of the day describe the quest to unearth the mystery behind one of the greatest heroes of the soil as waste of money.


Mukherjee commission, which is very near to unfolding the mystery, has been requesting access to the files of Russian Intelligence agencies (which have been declassified) and permission to visit some places including Russia. The commission should be given some more time to complete the enquiry and put the matter to rest once for all, which it is very near to accomplish. It is either now or never. Many of the people, who can provide reliable first hand information, have already perished. If we don't act now, even the few sources of reliable information will cease to exist in due course of time and any attempt by further generations to unravel the truth would prove futile.


It has been 60 years since the mystery regarding the death of one of the greatest sons of Mother India has erupted. It is time we solve this puzzle. It is better late than never.


This is an earnest request to the Supreme Court of India to direct the Government of India to extend the tenure of Justice Mukherjee commission and take all necessary steps to resolve Netaji Bose death mystery.