Akali Dal approaches Human Rights Commission on 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Punjab Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal met Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here, urging their intervention in the prolonged 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases. Talking to reporters, Badal said that the Congress-led government has failed to bring to justice those responsible for attacks on Sikhs after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi 25 years ago. "Inspite of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) proceeding against Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, none of them has yet been brought to book," he added. "Even after 25 years not a single culprit has been put behind bars. Even Nanavati report recommended registration of case against Sajjan Kumar, it's taken CBI four years till date. Challans have not been put in court. The CBI has requested the government of India permission to prosecute but the government of India is not giving permission. Why? Because everyone knows in 1984 riots who is behind it and they want to shield the culprits," said Badal. He urged the NHRC to ask the Central government to speed up the trial of criminal cases against the accused, as recommended by the Nanavati Commission. "We requested the Human Rights Commission to actively pursue these cases and be a part of this in court so that actual views can be put forward by them also as well as by various lawyers," said Badal. Over 3,000 Sikhs were killed in the riots in various cities following the assassination of Indira Gandhi by the Sikh guards on Oct 31, 1984.