’84 riot accused walk free

IN a setback to victims yearning to exorcise the ghosts of 1984, the Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside the Delhi High Court order and freed 15 persons convicted in the anti-Sikh riots case for lack of sufficient evidence, and eyewitnesses who could identify them. Charged under various offences of fuelling riots and arson, the convicts had filed multiple appeals challenging the November 28, 2018, verdict against them. The HC had upheld the conviction of 70 of the 89 persons by a trial court for burning houses and violating curfew. Pending for nearly 22 years, the court had dismissed the appeals and ordered them to serve their jail term. 

The horror of November 1984 has been a persistent nightmare for thousands of victims and their families. Many hundreds perished in the mayhem. Despite tireless efforts and several probe commissions later, justice has remained largely elusive. The blame squarely rests with the police, which drew grave imputations. Shoddy investigation, apparently due to political interference and manipulation, came in the way of justice delivery and blocked any progress in these cases. The government of the day and the law-enforcing agencies were blindsided in their basic obligation toward the people, of providing security cover and the promise of justice. Fear of law remained suspended for the longest time. Things seemed to be on the mend with the Supreme Court ordering the reopening of 186 cases last year. The hope for justice gained further momentum with the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, a first for the party’s leaders. 

The backslide is imminent, so long as investigating agencies make no sincere efforts to right past wrongs. All they need is to do their job well, and unhindered. All cases must be fast-tracked. Old wounds will continue to fester, and justice will be ill served if even one perpetrator goes scot-free. A probe cannot be an indefinite, empty act of procedures. All-too-familiar words that have been uttered before, but must be quoted again and again, so long as the need for them remains. The circle must be squared.