 | « Back to article | Print this article |
The G T Nanavati Commission, which probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has said that there is "credible evidence" against now Union Minister Jagdish Tytler that he "very probably" had a hand in organising attacks on Sikhs, and recommended the government to take further action as may be found necessary.
The Commission, in its report tabled in both Houses of Parliament on Monday along with the government's action taken report, also noted that "there was credible material" against Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar (now member of Parliament) and Balwan Khokhar that they were "probably involved as alleged by witnesses".
However, the ATR observed that it was clear from the "very probably" against Tytler remark that the one-man panel itself was not absolutely sure about his involvement in the attacks. The ATR observed "it may be pointed out that in criminal cases, a person cannot be prosecuted simply on the basis of probability".
The incidents regarding arson and looting in the riots that followed the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi in area under police station Bara Hindu Rao in the capital, burning of Gurdawara Pul Bangash and the killing of Thakur Singh and Badal Singh on October 31 and November 1, 1984, were investigated.
The Commission, set up by the erstwhile Natonal Democratic Alliance government, also recommended the examination of only those cases where the witnesses had accused Congress leader Sajjan Kumar specifically. Yet, no chargesheets were filed against him and the cases were terminated as untraced, the Commission observed.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil tabled the report in the Lok Sabha while Minister of State for Home Affairs S Reghupathy tabled it in the Rajya Sabha.