Delhi Court To Hear 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case Against Jagdish Tytler On Jan 28

Jagdish Tytler

A Delhi court is set to resume proceedings on January 28 in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.

Special Judge Jitendra Singh deferred the hearing after a brief session on Monday, during which Tytler appeared in person.

The case involves the killing of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash in Delhi during the 1984 riots. On November 12, 2024, the court completed recording the testimony of Lakhvinder Kaur, the widow of Badal Singh, who was allegedly murdered by a mob incited near the gurdwara.

Formal charges of murder and related offences were framed against Tytler on September 13, 2023. A pivotal witness testified that Tytler was seen arriving in a white car on November 1, 1984, and allegedly inciting a mob, which led to the violent killings.

In 2023, Tytler secured anticipatory bail from a sessions court upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and an equivalent surety. The court attached stringent conditions, including a prohibition on tampering with evidence and a travel restriction without prior judicial approval.

The prosecution, led by the investigative agency, invoked multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Tytler, notably Section 147 (rioting), Section 109 (abetment), and Section 302 (murder). The gravity of these charges, combined with the extensive judicial scrutiny over the years, highlights the case’s critical role in addressing the long-standing demand for justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.