1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case: Delhi Court Summons 2 Former Police Officials

The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday summoned 2 former police officials, Dharam Chandrasekar and Ravi Sharma, to record their statements in the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots case related to the Pul Bangash killings.

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, accused in the case, appeared via video conferencing. The court scheduled the next hearing for December 2.

The Special CBI Judge, Jitendra Singh, was informed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that efforts to serve a summons to prosecution witness Manmohan Kaur at her address had been unsuccessful.

The court granted the CBI additional time to locate and serve the witness.

Case Background

The case involves the murder of three Sikhs at Gurudwara Pul Bangash during the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

One of the victims, Badal Singh, was a ragi (hymn singer) at the gurudwara. His widow, Lakhvinder Kaur, recently concluded her cross-examination in court on November 12.

In September 2023, the Rouse Avenue Court framed charges against Tytler, based on a supplementary charge sheet filed by the CBI in May 2023. The charge sheet, filed without arresting Tytler, accused him of instigating violence during the riots. Following the court’s cognizance of the charge sheet, Tytler was summoned and subsequently granted bail.

CBI’s Investigation

The CBI’s supplementary charge sheet alleges Tytler’s involvement in inciting a mob that led to the killings at the Pul Bangash Gurudwara. The agency claims to have gathered sufficient evidence, including eyewitness testimonies, to substantiate the charges. The prosecution’s efforts to secure statements from witnesses, including former police officials, are part of the ongoing proceedings.

The case is a significant part of the broader judicial efforts to address the atrocities committed during the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs.

The court’s proceedings underscore the importance of holding individuals accountable for their roles in the violence, even decades after the events occurred.

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