Jagdish Tytler, Congress Leader, Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ in 1984 Sikh Riots Case

Jagdish Tytler recently pleaded ‘not guilty’ to charges in a Delhi court, marking the beginning of a trial that has been delayed for four decades. Advocate HS Phoolka expressed disappointment at the long wait and emphasized how this case highlights the ability of powerful individuals to impede the justice system.

He expressed hope that the trial will conclude promptly, leading to Tytler’s incarceration. Two weeks prior to this development, a Delhi court had ordered the framing of charges, citing sufficient evidence provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for the case to proceed to trial.

The charges against Tytler include murder, intent to cause a riot, unlawful assembly, rioting, disobedience to order, defiling a place of worship, abetment, mischief by fire, and theft. The CBI had accused Tytler of inciting a mob to kill Sikhs and setting a Gurudwara on fire, resulting in the death of three individuals.

In response to the allegations, Tytler had declared his readiness to face any evidence against him and had expressed frustration over the CBI’s pursuit of his voice sample. He had also previously apologized for the 1984 riots, acknowledging the shamefulness of the events that transpired during that time.

The 1984 assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, in the aftermath of her controversial ‘Operation Blue Star’, had triggered violent riots. Despite receiving a clean chit from the CBI on three occasions, Tytler’s case was directed by the court to undergo further investigation after the last exoneration.

The Congress party, to which Tytler belongs, has been criticized for allegedly protecting its implicated leaders. Past apologies and expressions of regret from Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, have been noteworthy in acknowledging the tragic events that unfolded.

Tytler, who once held a prominent position as a Congress leader in Delhi, was named in a report by the Nanavati Commission. The commission recommended in 2005 that three cases, including Tytler’s, be reopened by the CBI.

Currently, Tytler is out on bail, subject to specific conditions imposed by the court, including a bond and surety of Rs 1 lakh each and restrictions on tampering with evidence or leaving the country without permission.