The U C Banerjee Committee set up by the United Progressive Alliance government to probe the Godhra train fire has been given three months' extension.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Union Cabinet.

The committee's tenure was to come to an end on March 4.

• Godhra train fire accidental:  Report

"The committee has submitted its interim report and the extension is being given to it to complete its inquiry," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav told reporters in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting.

In its interim report, submitted to the Railway Ministry on January 17, the committee had said the fire was 'accidental'. It ruled out the possibility of any inflammable liquid being thrown into the coach from outside.

"With the elimination of the 'petrol theory', 'miscreant activity theory' as well as the ruling out of any possibility of 'electrical fire', the fire in S-6 coach of [the] Sabarmati Express can at this stage be ascribed to an 'accidental fire'," the committee had said.