1984 anti-Sikh riots: Delhi court orders charges to be framed against Jagdish Tytler
PTC News Desk: A Delhi court on Friday directed the framing of charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, which involves the murder of three individuals. The court found sufficient grounds to proceed against Tytler and scheduled the next hearing for September 13.
Special Judge Rakesh Syal discharged Tytler from charges under Section 148 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to rioting with deadly weapons. However, Tytler will face charges under several other IPC sections, including:
The case pertains to the burning to death of three men—Badal Singh, Sardar Thakur Singh, and Gurbachan Singh—and the destruction of Pul Bangash Gurudwara on November 1, 1984, a day after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Delhi Police had registered the case on the same day of the incident.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reopened the case in November 2005 following recommendations from the Nanavati Commission, which was established in 2000 and submitted its report five years later.
On July 26 of the previous year, the trial court took cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the CBI and issued a summons for Tytler to appear. Tytler had applied for anticipatory bail, which was converted to regular bail after he provided the required personal and surety bonds.
According to the charge sheet, the CBI has established Tytler's presence at the crime scene based on testimonies from six witnesses, four of whom reportedly saw him inciting the crowd. The charge sheet alleges that Tytler expressed disappointment over the relatively low number of Sikh casualties in his constituency and was involved in influencing the investigation and intimidating witnesses.
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- With inputs from agencies
