1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court orders framing of charges against Tytler

New Delhi, August 30

Holding that there was sufficient evidence against him to put him on trial, a Delhi court on Friday ordered framing of charges, including that of murder, against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to murder of three persons in the Pul Bangash area of the national capital during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Booked for rioting, promoting enmity

The court ordered framing of charges against the accused for several offences, including unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, house trespass and theft.

“Sufficient ground is there to proceed against the accused,” said Special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal, posting the matter for further proceedings to September 13 for formally framing the charges when the accused would be asked if he would like to plead guilty or face trial.

The court ordered framing of charges against the accused for several offences, including unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, house trespass and theft.

Welcoming the development, BJP national spokesperson RP Singh wrote on X, “Albeit delayed, it appears justice is being done.”

In its chargesheet filed on May 20, the CBI said Tytler “incited, instigated and provoked” the mob that had assembled at Pul Bangash Gurdwara in Azad Market on November 1, 1984, that resulted in the burning down of the gurdwara and killing of three persons — Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Guru Charan Singh. The offence entails the maximum punishment of death penalty in the rarest of rare cases.