Why Tytler is being spared in 1984 riots, asks BJP

In the wake of Delhi Lieutenant Governor's Office granting sanction to CBI for prosecution of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the  Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday asked why Jagdish Tytler was being "spared" and demanded time-bound trial against the accused.

"What about Jagdish Tytler (another Congress leader accused in the riots)? Why is he not being prosecuted? And why was there so much delay?" BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, reacting to the Lt Governor's move.

Both Kumar and Tytler were earlier accused of encouraging mobs to attacks Sikhs after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by her bodyguards.

The CBI filed a closure report in court in connection with Tytler's case, saying that no evidence was found against him.

"The people of India want justice in the heinous crimes committed against innocent Sikhs who were killed and had to face atrocities. The guilty should be prosecuted immediately and in a time-bound trial," Prasad said.

Tytler and Kumar were given tickets in the last general elections by the Congress but the party had to change its decision after a public outcry. Sajjan Kumar was replaced by his brother Ramesh Kumar as the candidate for South Delhi. J P Aggarwal got the ticket from North-East Delhi in place of Tytler.