Final arguments begin in anti-Sikh riots case
Final arguments in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is an accused commenced at a Sessions court here on Saturday, with Central Bureau of Investigation counsel R. S. Cheema alleging that Delhi Police acted in a partisan manner against the Sikhs and those trying to help them escape the violence that ensued after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Mr. Cheema told Additional Sessions Judge J. R. Aryan that the police acted in a “pre-planned manner” and kept their “eyes closed” to the atrocities. He said that though over 150 complaints of rioting incidents were made, only five first information reports were registered.
‘Direct evidence'
When the Additional Sessions Judge asked counsel whether prosecution had “direct evidence” to show that Mr. Kumar and other five accused Kishan Khokkar, Girdhari Lal, Mahender Yadav, Balwan Khokkar, and Captain Bhagmal instigated a mob to kill Sikhs, Mr. Cheema said there was direct evidence but not in the form of media reports.
Arguments will continue on April 2.
The CBI counsel termed the case a “pogrom” in which a “particular community of society” was targeted.
The case against Mr. Kumar was registered in 2005 on a recommendation by the Justice Nanavati Commission pertaining to the killing of six Sikhs in the Delhi Cantonment area by mobs.
Charges were framed against the accused persons in May 2010 under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to cause damage to property), 153-A (promoting enmity between different communities) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Keywords: 984 anti-Sikh riots case
