Centre likely to order SIT probe into 1984 anti-Sikh violence

Opposition parties call it election gimmick

The Centre has indicated that it may order a fresh probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This comes after a government-appointed panel recommended setting up a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the killings following the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi  October 31, 1984.

The controversy surrounding several Congress leaders has not yet been put to rest. But the move by the Union government was immediately slammed by the opposition as it came just before the Delhi polls on February 7.

The government appointed a panel, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) G P Mathur on December 23 last year to look into the possibility of re-investigation of the 1984 riots.

The committee, which was given three months time,  submitted its report to Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week, recommending setting up of a SIT to probe the riots, which took place after assassination of Gandhi, the sources said.

The riots across the country claimed the lives of 3,325 people. Delhi accounted for 2,733 victims, while the rest were killed in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states.

Reacting to the development, opposition parties said that it was an attempt to influence voters in Delhi, which has a seizable chunk of Sikh population.

“It is deprecating. Justice cannot be an electoral gain. Is it only an electoral ploy or gimmick of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to woo voters ahead of polls? If it is so, then it is deprecating,” Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

He said the government woke up just before a week for Delhi elections. The Congress leader also said if fresh probe is ordered into anti-Sikh riots, similar actions should be taken with regard to riots in Gujarat, Muzaffarnagar and Mangolpuri in Delhi.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and senior advocate H S Phoolka said the “leak” about the move “appears to be a poll gimmick” as it has come on the eve of elections.“Nobody knows how many cases they are going to re-open. Nothing has come out. It seems it is like a joke,” Phoolka said. 

Akali Dal leader and Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Committee chief Manjit Singh G K welcomed the move and said the SIT should be set up at the earliest.Phoolka also pointed out though the government announced about Rs 5 lakh compensation to the riots victims, only 17 people have received it till now.  

The BJP had earlier demanded re-investigation into all anti-Sikh riot cases.Earlier, the Justice Nanavati Commission had recommended reopening of only four of the 241 cases closed by police.