By IANS,
New Delhi : Thousands of Sikhs Thursday protested outside a Delhi court that is scheduled to decide on the case of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler’s involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had a week ago given a clean chit to Tytler in the case of leading mobs during the riots that followed the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi.
De-sealing its final report in the case in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Rakesh Pandit, the CBI April 2 pleaded that the case against Tytler be closed.
The court may decide on accepting the CBI closure report against Tytler and ordering the quashing of charges against him or order fresh investigation into the case.
As Tytler’s candidature hung in balance, protestors gathered outside the Karkardooma court in East Delhi. Burning effigies and shouting slogans against Tytler, who is the Lok Sabha’s nominee from Delhi, they demanded harsh punishment for those guilty of the mayhem in which 3,000 people, including over 2,000 in Delhi alone, were killed.
As police tried to stop her, a woman tried to climb over the barricades and storm the complex.
“The perpetrators of the riots who have incited the mob should be brought to book. The court is our last hope. If the court gives a decision, it is good; if it does not, our confidence in Indian democracy will be shaken,” said one of the agitators.
“Tytler should be locked up and if the court sentences him to death, he should be hanged. We want justice for the victims of 1984 riots,” added another.
An elderly Sikh said: “We are sure that justice will be served. But the Congress decision to give Sajjan Kumar and Tytler tickets is outrageous. Congress must pay heavy price for supporting Tytler and (Sajjan) Kumar.”
Tytler, the Congress candidate from the Delhi North-East constituency, was among the three prominent Congress leaders accused of having incited mobs against the Sikhs in 1984. The other two were Sajjan Kumar, the candidate from South Delhi, and the late H.K.L. Bhagat.
Reacting to the whole situation, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said: “By evening, the decision will be taken by the Congress party.”