Delhi court defers verdict in a 1984 riots case

A Delhi court on Friday deferred the pronouncement of verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case till September 30 relating to the lynching of a man outside his house by a mob led by three accused in New Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Pinki, who heard the final arguments in the 25-year-old case, adjourned the matter.

Gurbakshish Singh was killed outside his residence in Paschim Vihar by a mob on November 1, 1984, during the riots that had followed the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Almost eight years after the incident, an FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with rioting, looting, arson and murder, was lodged at Paschim Vihar police station against Jagdish Singh, Sajjan Singh and Ishwar Singh for allegedly leading the mob.

The victim's father Swaran Singh Bhatia, who was forced to leave the country after the incident, came from Canada last year to depose in the case.

Bhatia testified that the mob, which had besieged his house, was not stopped by the policemen, who remained mute spectators.

After lynching the victim, the mob also allegedly set afire two cars parked outside Bhatia's house.