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A Delhi court has delivered a significant ruling in the ongoing investigation into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, ordering the framing of charges against former Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The court's decision stems from a case related to the killing of three Sikh men – Thakur Singh, Badal Singh, and Gurcharan Singh – outside the Pul Bangash gurdwara in Delhi during the riots. The case was originally registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court's order mandates that Tytler be formally charged with several offenses, including murder, provocation with intent to cause riot, unlawful assembly, rioting, disobedience to order, defiling a place of worship, abetment, mischief by fire, and theft. These charges are scheduled to be formally framed on September 13th, at which point Tytler will be required to enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty.
The CBI's chargesheet, filed in May 2022, accuses Tytler, a former Union Minister, of playing a pivotal role in inciting the mob that gathered near the gurdwara in November 1984. The agency contends that Tytler actively instigated and provoked the mob, ultimately leading to the deaths of the three Sikhs and the burning of the gurdwara.
The CBI's evidence relies heavily on eyewitness statements. Witnesses claim to have seen Tytler, then a Member of Parliament, leading a mob armed with petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods near the gurdwara. Others recall seeing him emerge from a white Ambassador car and urging the crowd to carry out his instructions.
Tytler, however, has vehemently denied all allegations, maintaining that there is no evidence against him. He has expressed his willingness to face any consequences if evidence emerges, and has even offered a public apology for the 1984 riots, stating that they happened during his time and were shameful.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were a series of violent attacks targeting Sikhs across India following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Tytler's case has been a subject of intense scrutiny and controversy, with his name appearing in the Nanavati Commission report, which recommended that the CBI reopen his case.
The Congress party has faced criticism for its handling of the 1984 riots and its alleged protection of accused leaders. In 2012, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered an apology to the nation for the riots, expressing shame over the events. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have also expressed regret and shared sentiments of remorse.
This latest development in the Tytler case is significant as it brings the possibility of a trial closer after years of investigation and legal proceedings. The court's decision to frame charges against Tytler will undoubtedly reignite discussions on accountability and justice for the victims of the 1984 riots.
Source: Enough Proof To Charge Congress' Jagdish Tytler In Anti-Sikh Riots Case: Court