1984 riots: CBI files closure report in case against Tytler

Tribune News Service/PTI

New Delhi, March 25

For the third time in a row, the CBI has filed a closure report in a case against senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with 1984 anti-Sikh riots in a Delhi court, which issued notice to the victim.

The CBI said it conducted further probe in the case, as directed by a sessions court, and filed a closure report in the matter. In April 2013, the CBI was directed by a sessions court to further investigate the case as it set aside its earlier closure report.

The latest closure report was filed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, who marked it to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler. ACMM Laler issued notice for March 27 to the victim and complainant, Lakhvinder Kaur, whose husband Badal Singh was killed during the 1984 riots.

The court said “perusal of record revealed that the cancellation report was also filed earlier as regards accused Jagdish Tytler”.

The filing of the closure report by the investigating agency was protested by the victim’s counsel, who asked why was this done “secretly”.

Senior advocate and AAP leader HS Phoolka, representing the riot victims, expressed displeasure over the CBI’s move of filing the closure report. Before filing the closure report on December 24, 2014, the CBI did not inform the victim in one of the cases in which Tytler was a suspect, he said.

Phoolka said the investigating agency even did not inform the victim about the next date of hearing on March 27 when the court would hear the case on the closure report.

He said the court had directed the CBI on January 28 to issue a notice to the victim Lakhwinder Kaur informing her about the hearing date on March 27 in Karkardooma court, but till date, she had not received any notice. She got the information from other sources.

Phoolka said though it was in the knowledge of senior SAD leaders, they also avoided to inform Lakhwinder Kaur.

Akali Dal, Delhi, president Manjit Singh (GK) said, “We have always been informed by Phoolka. But this time, he did not inform us. We have been fighting for the riot victims and we will continue to do so. Tomorrow, the Akali Dal will hold a protest in front of the CBI office in connection with the case.”

The Congress said the law was taking its course. "There is a legal process in this country and that process has gone on for years. We respect the legal process and the same should be allowed to function independently," party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Sikh bodies slam CBI

Avtar Singh Makkar

Amritsar: The SGPC and other Sikh organisations on Wednesday slammed the CBI for giving a clean chit to senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar (in pic) said, "The CBI move is unfortunate and disappointing for the entire Sikh community." Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said it was a glaring example to prove beyond doubt that Sikhs were naive who waited so long for justice from the law-enforcement agency. DSGMC ex-chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal should resign and come out of the NDA government so that pressure could be built on the government to "identify the real culprits".