NEW DELHI—The Delhi provincial government led by Arvind Kejriwal has decided to investigate the 1984 Sikh genocide with a special investigation team (SIT) and asked lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung to take further measures in this direction.
On Thursday, a meeting was held by the Delhi cabinet—during which it approved the proposal of forming SIT and its jurisdiction.
The Aam Admi Party (AAP) Government recommended to the Lt Governor that the SIT should be given a time frame of one year to submit its investigation report.
“The Cabinet decided that for investigation in the 1984 carnage cases, the government will recommend to Lt Governor the formation of a SIT. Under the SIT probe, all those cases which were closed or shown untraced would be re-opened, re-investigated, and if need arises would also file fresh FIRs,” Education and PWD Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
“In those cases where investigations have been completed, charge sheets would be filed,” he said.
As per media reports, Sisodia said that police officers from outside Delhi would be given the responsibility to hold the inquiry.
“Delhi police have been kept out of SIT as many questions have been raised about their role in the case,” he added.
Elaborating on the terms of reference of SIT, Sisodia said that in addition to reopening of FIRs, it would also inquire into allegations of destruction of evidence by police.
“The 1984 anti-Sikh [genocide] is a black spot in the history of Delhi. According to official records, 2,733 people were killed in the riots. As many as 587 FIRs were filed, out of which 241 were either closed or no action was taken.
“The Nanavati commission opened four cases, but nothing significant happened so far. Many commissions raised question over the role of police, saying they tampered with the evidences,” said Sisodia.
Meanwhile, Minister of external affairs of India Salman Khurshid, in a statement, said that the ‘row’ over the 1984 Sikh Genocide should be ended. However, he justified the questions being raised on the 2002 Gujrat massacre.
In this statement, he made an indirect appeal to Sikhs to forget the November 1984 episode as, “Our country has faced critical circumstances. We had to lose a prime minister. Aftermath, riots triggered out that took lives of thousands people. For the sake of humanity, the issue should be left forever.”
