Today(on 30th Aug), A Delhi court has ordered the framing of murder charges against former Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The CBI charges relate to the killings of Thakur Singh, Badal Singh, and Gurcharan Singh outside the Pul Bangash Gurdwara.
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DELHI: Today(on30th Aug), A Delhi court has taken a significant step in a long-standing case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, directing the framing of murder charges against former Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The charges, brought forward by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), involve the brutal killings of Thakur Singh, Badal Singh, and Gurcharan Singh outside the Pul Bangash Gurdwara in North Delhi during the tragic riots that followed the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
CBI’s Chargesheet Against Tytler
In May of last year, the CBI submitted a comprehensive chargesheet accusing Tytler, who once served as a Union Minister, of “inciting, instigating, and provoking the mob” that had gathered near the gurdwara in November 1984. The agency’s investigation highlighted Tytler’s active role in encouraging the violence that ultimately led to the deaths of three innocent Sikhs.
During the concluding arguments presented in January this year, the federal agency underscored the presence of credible eyewitnesses who provided testimony about Tytler’s involvement.
The CBI argued-
“Tytler incited the mob to attack Sikhs, leading to the burning of the Gurudwara Pul Bangash and the deaths of three Sikh individuals.”
The court was told that there is sufficient evidence to move forward with the charges.
Eyewitness Accounts
One of the most damning pieces of evidence comes from eyewitnesses who recalled the harrowing events of that day. According to one account, a mob armed with petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods gathered outside the gurdwara, with Tytler, then a Member of Parliament, reportedly among them. Another witness described seeing Tytler emerge from a white Ambassador car and allegedly chastise those present for not following his “instructions” properly.
The chargesheet also includes statements from four eyewitnesses who confirmed Tytler’s presence and actions during the violence.
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One eyewitness stated-
“He (Tytler) emerged from the car, incited the mob to first attack the Sikhs, and then encouraged them to loot their shops.”
This account adds a chilling layer to the allegations, suggesting that Tytler not only incited the violence but also directed it with a disturbing level of involvement.
Despite these serious accusations, Tytler has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In a statement made in August last year after submitting voice samples at the CBI’s forensic laboratory, he asserted-
“What have I done? If there is evidence against me, I am prepared to face the consequences. The request for my voice sample was not related to the 1984 riots case, but to a different case.”
Tytler has maintained that there is no “single evidence” against him in this case.
Mr. Tytler is currently out on bail, which was granted by a sessions court on a bond and surety of Rs. 1 lakh each. The bail was provided under certain conditions, including that Tytler would not tamper with any evidence in the case or leave the country without explicit permission from the court.
Today(on 30th Aug), Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court announced that it had found sufficient grounds to proceed with the charges against Tytler, which include serious allegations under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The charges span from murder (Section 302) to rioting (Section 147), unlawful assembly (Section 143), promoting enmity between different groups (Section 153A), and more.
The court, however, discharged Tytler from the offence under Section 148, which pertains to rioting while armed with a deadly weapon. Despite this, the former MP still faces severe charges, and the court has scheduled the formal framing of charges for September 13, 2024. Tytler has been ordered to be physically present at the hearing.
The 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: A Dark Chapter
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. The violence erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. What followed was a horrifying outbreak of violence against Sikhs, resulting in the deaths of thousands across the country, with Delhi being one of the most affected areas.
In connection with the riots, the CBI’s chargesheet against Tytler paints a grim picture of the events that took place outside the Pul Bangash Gurdwara. The document claims that Tytler assured the rioters that no legal action would be taken against them and even compared the number of killings in his constituency with other areas, urging his followers to attack more Sikhs.
One of the most incriminating statements in the chargesheet is from an eyewitness who recounted-
“He (Tytler) got out of the car, incited the mob to kill Sikhs, and then urged them to loot their shops.”
This testimony suggests that Tytler’s involvement was not just incidental but that he played a direct role in orchestrating the violence.
