New Delhi:

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler on Friday pleaded not guilty to charges – including murder and provocation with intent to cause riot – relating to the killing of three men outside Delhi’s Pul Bangash gurdwara during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

“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, lamenting the four-decade delay. “It has taken 40 years for this trial to begin. It is very unfortunate and shows how a powerful person can cripple the whole system. Hopefully, the trial will conclude soon and he will be jailed.”

A Delhi court, two weeks ago, had ordered framing of the charges, ruling enough evidence had been provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation for the case to proceed to a trial.

#WATCH | 1984 Pul Bangash Sikh killings case | Delhi: Advocate HS Phoolka says, “Today, Jagdish Tytler pleaded not guilty to the charges. So, now the case will go for evidence, the Court has fixed 3rd October. From 3rd October, evidence will start…It has taken 40 years for… pic.twitter.com/Gwv76HssJF

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2024

Apart from murder and intent to cause a riot, Tytler faces charges of unlawful assembly, rioting, disobedience to order, defiling a place of worship, abetment), mischief by fire, and theft.

READ | Enough To Charge Jagdish Tytler In Anti-Sikh Riots Case: Court

The CBI, in a chargesheet filed in May last year, had accused Tytler, a former Union Minister, of “inciting, instigating and provoking the mob” assembled near the gurdwara in November 1984.

CBI’s Eyewitness Statements

In concluding arguments in January, the federal agency presented eyewitnesses’ statements and told the court there is sufficient evidence to frame charges against the Congress leader.

“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.

READ | CBI Says Eyewitnesses Saw Tytler Instigating Mob During 1984 Riots

One witness claimed to have seen a mob carrying petrol canisters, sticks, swords, and rods, with Tytler, then a Member of Parliament, in front of the gurudwara, while others claimed to have seen him emerge from a car – a white Ambassador – and exhort the gathered mob to carry out his “instructions”.

Tytler Defends Himself

Tytler, however, has insisted there is not a “single (piece of) evidence”.

“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.

In May 2022 Tytler had said, “I will apologise because it (the riots) happened in our time. I would apologise a thousand times for what happened to the Sikhs… I would say it was shameful.”

The assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, by her Sikh bodyguards, in 1984 after her controversial ‘Operation Blue Star’, led to violent riots. Tytler got a clean chit from the CBI on three previous occasions, but after the last the court directed the agency to investigate further.

Congress’, Manmohan Singh’s Apology

Jagdish Tytler has long been a point of attack for the Congress’ rivals, including, in the past, current allies Aam Aadmi Party. The party has been accused of shielding its accused leaders.

In 2012 Congress veteran Dr Manmohan Singh, then the Prime Minister, had apologised to Members of Parliament and the country for the riots that killed thousands. “I have no hesitation in apologising to not only the Sikhs… but also the nation. I bow my head in shame that such a thing happened,” he had said.

Subsequently the party’s senior leaders, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi also apologised and expressed regret; Mr Gandhi had said, “Prime Minister of UPA (the Congress-led ruling alliance) has apologised and President of the party (Ms Gandhi) expressed regrets. I share their sentiments..”

Tytler, 80, once a key Congress leader in Delhi, was also named in a report by the Nanavati Commission. His case was one of the three the panel recommended, in 2005, be reopened by the CBI.

Tytler is out on bail granted by a sessions court on a bond and surety of Rs 1 lakh each. That court had also imposed certain conditions on him, including guarantees that he will not tamper with the evidence or leave the country without permission.

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