1984 anti-Sikh riots: Tytler appears through video conferencing in view of safety concerns

New Delhi: Former Congress MP Jagdish Tytler on Friday appeared through video conferencing (VC) before the Rouse Avenue court in view of safety concerns in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

He was allowed to appear through VC yesterday. He has been charge-sheeted by the CBI in the Pul Bangash Sikh riots case.
On the last hearing on August 5, there was a huge protest was organised by the people of the Sikh community against Jagdish Tytler. Thereafter, he through his counsel had requested to appear through VC.

Jagdish Tytler appeared through VC before the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vidhi Gupta Anand.
His counsel Manu Sharma sought two weeks’ time for scrutiny of documents filed by the CBI along with the supplementary charge.
The court said that two weeks is a long time. It is a special MP/MLA court to expedite the cases. You complete the scrutiny within a week.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 21.

The court also rejected the submissions of lawyers for victims that Tytler should appear physically.
The court that the High Court has already permitted appearance through VC. He can appear through VC until his physical presence is required.
On August 5, Tytler had appeared before the court against the summons issued by the court after taking Cognizance of the supplementary charge sheet.
A day earlier, he was granted anticipatory bail on August 4 by the sessions court after hearing his bail application. The CBI filed the supplementary charge sheet on May 20.
This case is connected with the killing of three persons in the Pul Bangash area on November 1, 1984.

The Central Bureau of Investigation on May 20 filed charge sheet against Tytler in the case related to anti-Sikh riots in 1984 following the assassination of the then Prime Minister of India, on 31 October 1984.

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, then Member of Parliament has been named as accused in the chargesheet.
In a statement, CBI mentioned that the agency had registered the instant case in November 2005 on an incident wherein Gurudwara Pul Bangash at Azad Market, Bara Hindu Rao, Delhi was set on fire by a mob and three persons namely Sardar Thakur Singh, Badal Singh and Gurcharan Singh were burnt to death on 1 November 1984 near Gurudwara Pul Bangash.

Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry was set up in the year 2000 by the Government of India to enquire into the incidents of anti-Sikh riots of the year 1984 in Delhi.
After consideration of the Commission’s report, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Government of India) issued directions to CBI to investigate the case against the then Member of Parliament and others.
During the CBI investigation, evidence came on record that on November 1, 1984, the said accused allegedly instigated, incited and provoked the mob assembled at Gurudwara Pul Bangash at Azad Market, Delhi which resulted in the burning of Gurudwara Pul Bangash and killing of three Sikh persons by the mob, apart from burning and looting of shops. (ANI)