1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court lists Jagsish Tytler's case for clarification after hearing arguments on framing of charges

New Delhi [India], May 20 : Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on Monday listed the 1984 Pul Bangash Sikh killing case for clarification after hearing arguments on framing of charges.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a supplementary chargesheet against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler last year.
Special CBI Judge Rakesh Syal listed the matter for clarification on May 30.
Advocate Manu Sharma appeared for Jagdish Tytler and concluded his arguments in rebuttal of CBI's submissions.
He argued that the CBI had filed two closure reports. The CBI had filed a chargesheet against co-accused Suresh Kumar Panewala in 2009, who was acquitted by the trial court.
It was also argued that since 1984, there were no witnesses in the case till 2022-23. The witnesses are coming after a long period, so how can they be trusted, he argued.
CBI concluded its arguments on the framing of charges on April 16.
The investigative agency said that there are eyewitnesses who saw Jagdish Tytler "inciting the mob" during the 1984 riots and there is "sufficient material" to frame charges against accused Jagdish Tytler.
During his arguments, CBI's Counsel read over the statements of four eyewitnesses including Surender Singh who saw the accused allegedly inciting the mob after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
This case pertains to the alleged killing of three Sikhs Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Gurcharan Singh in front of Pul Bangash Gurudwara on November 1, 1984. Congress leader Jagdish Tytler is accused in the case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on May 20 filed a chargesheet against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to anti-Sikh riots in 1984 that erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on 31 October 1984.
Former Congress MP Tytler has been named as accused in the chargesheet.
He was granted anticipatory bail on August 4, 2023 by the sessions court after hearing his bail application.
In a statement, CBI mentioned that the agency had registered the instant case in November 2005 on an incident wherein Gurudwara Pul Bangash at Azad Market, Bara Hindu Rao, Delhi was set on fire by a mob and three persons namely Sardar Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Gurcharan Singh were burnt to death on November 1, 1984 near Gurudwara Pul Bangash.
Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry was set up in the year 2000 by the Government of India to enquire into the incidents of anti-Sikh riots of the year 1984 in Delhi.
After consideration of the Commission's report, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued directions to the CBI to investigate the case against Tytler and others.
During the CBI investigation, evidence came on record that on November 1, 1984, the said accused allegedly instigated, incited and provoked the mob assembled at Gurudwara Pul Bangash at Azad Market, Delhi which resulted in the burning of Gurudwara Pul Bangash and the killing of three Sikh persons by the mob, apart from burning and looting of shops.