Court tells CBI to probe Tytler's role in '84 riot

Rejecting the Central Bureau of Investigation's report seeking closure of a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case against former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler, a Delhi court on Tuesday directed the agency to reinvestigate it.

"I am of the opinion that the matter needs to be further investigated. CBI is directed to further investigate the case and submit its report by January 16 next year," Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjiv Jain said.

The CBI had filed a report before the court on September 29, claiming that one Jasbir Singh had allegedly heard Tytler inciting a mob to kill Sikhs after the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, but his whereabouts could not be located.

The agency said Singh could not be examined as he was currently settled in the US.

The court's direction came after the counsel for the witness submitted that Singh was willing to join the investigation.

The counsel also submitted Singh's present address in the US.

The case relates to an incident of November 1984—in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi -- when a mob had set afire Gurdwara Pulbangash, killing three people.

The case was investigated by the CBI following an affidavit submitted before the Justice Nanavati Commission, set up to inquire into anti-Sikh

"The court has asked us to contact eye witness Jasbir Singh, who is now living in the United States. We would carry out the orders of the court," CBI spokesperson G Mohanty told rediff.com when asked to comment on the court's directive.

Senior advocate K T S Tulsi accused the CBI of playing games in the case. "I would ask director CBI Vijay Shankar to fix responsbility for such behaviour. First, they said that the witness was not traceable and after the media found him, they are making excuses in the court of law. The officers who are trying to shield the guilty should be asked to explain their conduct," Tulsi said.

H S Phoolka, senior advocate and author of 1984, welcomed the court's directive. "I would say it is a good judgement," he said

When rediff.com tried to contact Jasbir Singh at his US residence, someone else answered on his behalf and said that Singh was happy that at least things have started moving in the right direction.

When the CBI tried to get in touch with Jasbir, they were told to speak to Navkiron Singh, an advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court who would be representing him.

Additional reportage by PTI