Kolkata: The one-man commission probing the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose headed by Justice M K Mukherjee on March 26 said an extension of one year had been sought by it from the Centre beyond May 14 as certain hurdles had impeded the progress of the inquiry.

"We have sent a proposal to the Union Home Ministry for extension of the term of the Commission for a further period of one year beyond May 14," Justice Mukherjee told reporters.

Speaking after a hearing, he said the Commission has "detailed the nature and extent of hurdles being faced by it and highlighted the reasons for which it will not be in a position to complete inquiry by May 14."

The response from the Centre was awaited.

Explaining the delays he criticised the Centre's failure to hand over relevant documents repeatedly sought by the Commission.

He said even the Intelligence Bureau, which had admitted it possessed 76 records and files relevant to the probe, was yet to hand them over.

There was delay also in getting a response from the British government, being persuaded by the Union External Affairs ministry, for release of certain classified documents.

Mukherjee said the Commission has sent for DNA testing blood samples of three family members of Subhas Chandra Bose and the teeth of Gumnami Baba of Faisabad, whom many had claimed, when he was alive, to be Netaji.

"We have sent the blood samples for the DNA tests to Hyderabad. But it will take another two months for them to give their report," he said.

PTI