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United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
SC displeased over stay on trials in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot cases, urges Allahabad HC to expedite
New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) The Supreme Court today expressed dismay over the Allahabad High Court staying trial proceedings in three out of eleven cases related to the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, where trials had commenced after re-investigation and filing of chargesheets by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). A Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed, 'What really bothers is that in 11 cases where trials commenced pursuant to chargesheets filed by SIT, such trials have been stayed by High Court in three cases. "While we do not wish to impact the right of a suspect or accused to avail his/her remedy, including quashing of chargesheet, all that we request the High Court is to take up these matters out of turn and expeditiously for their adjudication in accordance with law.' The Court highlighted that the conclusion of these trials would take reasonable time, and availability of witnesses becomes increasingly difficult with the passage of time. 'It is only with repeated efforts made by this Court that the investigations were revived, SIT was constituted, and chargesheets have now been filed… judicial notice of the fact that conclusion of trial will take some reasonable time… most importantly, availability of witnesses, with passage of time, becomes a difficult task,' the Bench noted. During the hearing, the Court went through a compliance report filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh, which revealed that the contents of one FIR dated November 9, 1984, could not be recovered even by the CFSL. The CFSL report stated that, except for some sections, the rest of the FIR was fragmented. Considering its previous orders and the CFSL findings, the Court said no further action could be taken at this stage, but added that if any duplicate copy or related document is recovered, it should be brought to the Court's notice. Regarding four appeals filed before the High Court challenging acquittals in riot cases, the Court noted from the status report that these appeals were being actively pursued for hearings on the merits. The Bench impressed upon the UP Advocate General to deploy the 'best of the state law officers' having requisite expertise to handle these sensitive matters. In April as well, the Court had directed the State to appear in cases where trial proceedings were stayed and to take all necessary steps for their early disposal. Reiterating its stand today, the Court stated it had no reason to doubt that the High Court would conduct the cases expeditiously and take them up out of turn. Advocate Jagjit Singh Chabra appeared for the petitioners, while Advocate Ruchira Goel represented the State of Uttar Pradesh.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
1984 anti-Sikh riots: key witness threatened in Tytler case, says ex-DSGMC chief
In a significant development in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, a key witness, Surender Singh, allegedly changed his statement after facing repeated threats. This revelation was made by Manjeet Singh GK, former Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chairman, during his testimony before the Rouse Avenue Court on Monday. GK stated that Surender Singh told him about being threatened multiple times, leading to inconsistencies in his statements. GK assured Singh of community support, encouraging him to tell the truth. His statement is being recorded in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots of Pul Bangash. Congress leader Jagdish Tytler is facing trials in this case. Special Judge Jitendra Singh recorded Manjeet Singh GK's statement through CBI prosecutor Amit Jindal. GK stated, "When Surender Singh met me, he told me that he was threatened several times, and for that reason, he gave different versions of statements. I assured him that the community is supporting him and he should tell the truth. Thereafter, he told the truth to the CBI regarding the involvement of accused Jagdish Tytler in the present case." Also Read: 1984 riots: Ex-DSGMC chief corroborates Jagdish Tytler's 'confession' video Senior advocate HS Phoolka on Monday expressed confidence that Congress leader Jagdish Tytler would be convicted, accused of killing three Sikhs near the Pul Bangash Gurudwara during the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, especially after Manjit Singh GK's testimony. During the hearing, a CD containing video clips of Jagdish Tytler's sting operation was also played in the court. A 2012 sting operation conducted by Manjit Singh GK, former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), was presented as evidence. In the sting, Tytler allegedly admitted to killing 100 Sikhs and boasted about his power. "Case against Jagdish Tytler, which is for the murder of 3 Sikhs in Pul Bangash Gurudwara during 1984 Sikh genocide, was listed today. Manjit Singh GK, former president of DSGMC, had sent a sting operation to the CBI. In this sting operation, Jagdish Tytler had admitted that he had killed 100 Sikhs and I am very sting operation is from that CD was played in the court and it can be clearly seen that Jagdish Tytler is saying that he killed 100 lawyer of Jagdish Tytler is trying to prove that the sting operation is not of Jagdish are confident that Jagdish Tytler will also be behind bars after Manjit Singh GK's statement...", HS Phoolka told reporters. Defence counsel Anil Kumar Sharma cross-examined CBI's witness GK. He, along with advocates Apoorv Sharma and Anuj Sharma, appeared for Jagdish Tytler. During his cross-examination, GK said that it is correct that he was not present in the sting operation conducted on Jagdish Tytler and was also not involved in recording it. He further said, "It is also correct that I (GK) have no role in the recording of the same. It is also correct that I do not know who and why the sting operation was conducted. I am not aware of what procedure was adopted to record the sting operation." During the hearing, Senior Advocate HS Phoolka, along with advocates Kamna and Surpreet Kaur, appeared for the riot victims. This is a case of the killing of three Sikhs near Gurudwara Pul Bangash on November 1, 1984.
