Cuttack, Oct. 18: The Justice R.K. Patra Commission has sought extension of its term by six months to complete its probe into fraudulent activities of deposit collection companies in the state. The commission has also sought engagement of a panel of lawyers to assist it.

The commission, appointed on July 9 by chief minister Naveen Patnaik following flak from Opposition parties for the spate of cheating cases involving deposit collection companies, was given three months’ time to complete its probe.

Official sources said the one-member commission of Justice (retired) R.K. Patra has sought the extension expressing inability to complete the probe within the stipulated time as it had received more than eight lakh affidavits.