Jagdish Tytler pleads not guilty in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case
Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is out on bail, pleaded not guilty to charges related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. The charges include murder and provocation with intent to cause a riot, stemming from the killing of three men outside Delhi's Pul Bangash gurdwara during the riots. "Today, Jagdish Tytler pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges. Now the case will go for evidence...the court has fixed October 3 (for the trial)," Advocate HS Phoolka told reporters.
Tytler faces multiple charges, trial date set
Tytler is facing multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, rioting, disobedience to order, defiling a place of worship, among others. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had accused Tytler in a chargesheet filed last year of "inciting, instigating and provoking the mob" assembled near the gurdwara in November 1984. The trial date has been set for October 3.
CBI presents eyewitness statements against Tytler
In its concluding arguments in January, the CBI presented eyewitness statements and told the court there is sufficient evidence to frame charges against Tytler. "Tytler provoked the mob to kill Sikhs which resulted in Gurudwara Pul Bangash being set on fire by the mob and killing of three persons..." the CBI had said. One witness claimed to have seen a mob carrying petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods with Tytler near the gurdwara.
Tytler maintains innocence, trial to proceed
Despite the charges and evidence presented by the CBI, Tytler has maintained his innocence. "What have I done? If there is evidence against me I'm prepared to hang myself... It wasn't related to 1984 riots case for which they (the CBI) wanted my voice sample..." he had said in August last year. The court has allowed the case to proceed to trial based on the evidence provided by the CBI.
Tytler's bail conditions and previous CBI investigations
Tytler is currently out on bail granted by a sessions court on a bond and surety of ₹1 lakh each. The court has imposed certain conditions on him, including guarantees that he will not tamper with the evidence or leave the country without permission. Notably, Tytler had previously received a clean chit from the CBI on three occasions, but after the last one, the court directed the agency to investigate further.
