Witnesses have come forward with testimonies, shedding light on Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's alleged role in the tragic events of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In a supplementary charge sheet filed against the former Union minister, shocking details have emerged, leading to Tytler appearing as an accused before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand for the first time on Saturday.
According to accounts from witnesses, on November 1, 1984, Tytler was seen getting out of a white ambassador car in front of Gurudwara Pul Bangash, New Delhi. He reportedly shouted, "Kill the Sikhs....they have killed our mother," news agency PTI reported citing the charge sheet. Shortly after his speech, three individuals were found dead at the Sikh shrine, which was also set ablaze. These events took place just one day after the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, by her Sikh bodyguards, it said.
According to the report, the chargesheet contains statements from witnesses who claim that Tytler rebuked his supporters, urging them to attack and harm the Sikhs. He allegedly expressed dissatisfaction with the number of Sikhs killed in his constituencies compared to other areas and left the scene in disappointment.
Although some witnesses were unable to hear Tytler's exact words, they reported observing his presence and the ensuing violent behavior of the mob. The witnesses asserted that the speech delivered by Tytler triggered the destructive rampage at Gurudwara Pul Bangash, the report said.
Further evidence points to Tytler's visit to a hospital in Delhi on November 3, 1984, where he supposedly reprimanded a group of individuals for not faithfully following his instructions. Witnesses recall Tytler expressing disappointment in his compromised position and the alleged betrayal by the people, the report said.
The CBI, based on the evidence collected during their investigation, asserts that Tytler was part of an unlawful assembly that committed rioting near Gurudwara Pul Bangash. The charge sheet accuses Tytler of instigating, inciting, and provoking the mob to kill Sikhs, resulting in the tragic incident at the Gurudwara and the death of three Sikh individuals. This, the CBI states, has led to enmity between different religious groups.
While Tytler has been granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court, he still faces serious charges under Sections 147, 109, and 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The court has imposed conditions on his bail, ensuring that he does not tamper with evidence or leave the country without permission. The case continues to be a painful reminder of the dark chapter in India's history, and the witnesses' testimonies stand as crucial evidence in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.