Four decades after three men were killed by a mob in Pul Bangash area of old Delhi during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a Delhi court ordered the framing of charges against former union minister and Congress member Jagdish Tytler in the case. “Sufficient grounds are there to proceed against the accused person,” special judge Rakesh Syal said.
The court directed framing of charges against Tytler under IPC sections 302 (murder) and 109 (abetment), among several others, while discharging him from offences under Section 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon).
The court listed the matter on September 13 when Tytler would have to appear in court and charges would be formally framed against him.
On Nov 1, 1984, a mob had burnt to death three people - Sardar Thakur Singh, Badal Singh, and Gurcharan Singh - near Gurdwara Pul Bangash at Azad Market in north Delhi, which was also set on fire.
As per CBI’s investigation, there was evidence on record to show that the accused had instigated, incited and provoked the mob gathered at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, resulting in the killings, arson and looting of shops.
CBI claimed that Tytler instigated the mob by shouting, “Kill the Sikhs, they have killed our mother!” The word “mother” referred to former PM Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on Oct 31, 1984.
The complainant in the case, Lakhwinder Kaur, wife of deceased Badal Singh, was represented by senior advocate H S Phoolka and advocate Gurbaksh Singh, and the CBI was represented by public prosecutor Amit Jindal.
