1984 riots: CBI to reinvestigate Tytler's role

New Delhi, Dec 18: The Kakardooma Court in Delhi today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to reinvestigate the role of former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The court ordered the CBI to submit its report by January 15. Last month, the CBI claimed that they had no evidence and no witnesses to substantiate key witness Jasbir Singh"s charges against Tytler. In its chargesheet of September 29, the CBI had claimed that Jasbir, who had allegedly heard Tytler inciting a mob to kill Sikhs, could not be examined as he was currently settled in the USA, and his whereabouts were unknown.

Two Sikh organisations - Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee and November '84 Carnage Justice Committee - had on October 4, moved an application seeking a copy of the said chargesheet, so as to aid them in the filing of a petition against the CBI"s claim.

According to the CBI chargesheet, Singh had told the Nanavati Commission on August 31, 2000 that "he had overheard Tytler rebuking his men on the night of November 3, 1984 ... for the nominal killing of Sikhs in his constituency."

The court refused to accede to the counsel"s request for a copy of the chargesheet.

Tytler was appointed Minister of State for Non-Resident Indians' (NRI) Affairs after the Congress came to power in 2004, but had to quit later following the resurfacing of allegations connecting him to the 1984 riots.

Tytler maintains that the charges against him are a political stunt by the BJP.

Thousands of Sikhs were killed in one of the worst communal riots following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

ANI
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