August 30, 2024, New Delhi – In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, marking a pivotal moment nearly four decades after the violent events. The Special CBI Judge Rakesh Siyal, presiding over the Rouse Avenue Court, ruled that there exists “sufficient ground” to proceed against Tytler on charges including murder, among others, stemming from the riots that followed the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) accuses Tytler of inciting a mob near the Pul Bangash Gurdwara on November 1, 1984, where three individuals, Sardar Thakur Singh, Badal Singh, and Gurcharan Singh, were killed. The CBI’s case relies heavily on the testimony of eyewitnesses who claim Tytler instigated the crowd with the words, “Kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother!” This statement allegedly led to the mob’s violent actions, including the burning of the gurdwara and the murder of the three men.
The court’s decision to frame charges comes after a prolonged legal battle, with the case experiencing numerous delays over the years. Initially, Tytler was given a clean chit by the CBI, but the case was reopened following directions from the Justice Nanavati Commission, which was set up to inquire into the riots. The charges now include sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder (302), abetment (109), rioting (147), and promoting enmity between groups (153A), among others.
This ruling has sparked a mix of reactions on social media platforms like X, with some users expressing relief over the legal action finally being taken, while others criticized the judicial system for the delay in delivering justice. The sentiment among many is one of frustration over the time it took for the legal process to reach this stage, with comments highlighting the wait of 40 years for charges to be framed.
The matter has been scheduled for September 13, 2024, where Tytler will be formally asked whether he pleads guilty or wishes to stand trial. This development not only reopens old wounds from one of India’s darkest chapters but also brings to the forefront discussions on accountability, justice, and the efficiency of the judicial process in handling cases of communal violence.
The case against Tytler, once a prominent figure in Indian politics, serves as a reminder of the 1984 riots, which saw widespread violence allegedly by Congress Party leaders and workers against the Sikh community following Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards. The legal proceedings against Tytler, if they lead to conviction, could set a precedent for accountability in cases of communal riots, potentially influencing how similar historical injustices are addressed in the future.
