A Delhi court on Friday gave nod to the framing of charges for murder and other offences against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The case pertains to the killing of three people in north Delhi's Pul Bangash area during the violence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had cited a witness saying that Tytler came out of a white Ambassador car in front of Gurdwara Pul Bangash on November 1, 1984, and instigated a mob by shouting "Kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother." Three Sikhs were then killed by the mob.
The court pointed out that there was sufficient evidence against Tytler to put him on trial.
#WATCH | Kuldeep Kaur, Sikh Riots victim says, " I felt good after hearing this (court order). I kept my silence for 40 years expecting that govt would do something...he should go to jail. The way I am crying for my husband and children, the same way his family members should cry… https://t.co/d99FJv1hha pic.twitter.com/Sm5m1RAuZc
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024
Special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal ruled to proceed with the charges against Tytler, a former union minister. Charges including unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, house trespass and theft will be framed against Tytler.
The court has listed the matter for September 13 when the judge is likely to ask Tytler whether he pleads guilty to the charges levelled against him.
#WATCH | Harmeet Singh Kalka, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee says, " The 40 years of fight, fought by Sikh community...we had only one goal, these killers had to be sent to jail...we have got a big relief today...we hope that Jagdish Tytler will go to jail… https://t.co/d99FJv1hha pic.twitter.com/N1caDkOige
— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2024
If Tytler pleads not guilty and claims trial, the judge will formally frame the charges against him.
Anti-Sikh riots erupted in several parts of the country in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
A sessions court had in August last year granted anticipatory bail to Tytler in the case.
