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SC orders new SIT to probe 186 cases linked to 1984 anti-Sikh riots

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SC orders new SIT to probe 186 cases linked to 1984 anti-Sikh riots

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SIT to comprise of a retired High Court Judge and two police officers – one former and one serving, names to be decided by SC on January 11

Nearly 34 years after over 3000 people, mostly Sikhs, were killed in the communal pogrom that engulfed Delhi and other parts of the country following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 10) ordered a fresh probe in 186 cases linked to the massacre.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud decided to set up a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) – to be monitored by the Supreme Court – headed by a former High Court judge to independently probe 186 cases related to the anti-Sikh riots that broke out in Delhi. These cases were not investigated by a SIT that had earlier been constituted by the central government to investigate the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

While details of who will be part of this newly-ordered SIT are yet to be finalised, the Bench said that the probe team will also comprise two senior police officers, one serving and the other retired (not below or who is equivalent to the rank of an inspector general).

The names of the members of this proposed SIT are expected to be finalised on January 11 when the Supreme Court hears the matter next. On the Centre’s insistence, the Bench has agreed to consider names suggested by Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand (on behalf of the government) and senior advocate HS Phoolka (on behalf of the riot victims), for being nominated to the SIT.

While observers may wonder about the rationale behind or the effectiveness of constituting an SIT to investigate the cases after nearly 34 years of the killings, the Supreme Court has held: “Regard being had to the nature of the cases, we think it appropriate that a fresh SIT be constituted for carrying on further investigation.”

The Chief Justice brushed aside reservations expressed by the parties in the case over the maintainability of such an SIT – on an earlier occasion a similar probe had been quashed following objections being raised over alleged judicial overreach in carrying out investigations – saying: “That is history.”

On December 11 last year the Supreme Court had received the confidential report filed by an apex court-appointed supervisory committee of two former SC judges, Justices KS Radhakrishnan and JM Panchal. The two-member committee had looked into 241 cases linked with the anti-Sikh riots which had been closed by the Centre-appointed SIT. The supervisory committee had reportedly recommended that 186 of these 241 cases needed to be re-examined and it is these cases that the newly-proposed SIT will now look into afresh.

A total of 3,325 people were killed in the 1984 riots. Of these, as many as 2733 deaths were reported from the national capital alone while Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states accounted for the rest.

In February 2015, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government had set up a SIT, following a recommendation by the Union home ministry-appointed Justice (retd.) GP Mathur committee, which had suggested a centre-monitored probe in several of the anti-Sikh riots cases. The Centre’s SIT was headed by senior IPS officer Pramod Asthanaand comprised of retired district and sessions judge Rakesh Kapoor and then additional deputy commissioner in the Delhi police Kumar Gyanesh as its members.

The SIT had, among other cases, also looked into the high-profile complaints filed against Congress veterans Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler. It had questioned Sajjan Kumar – a former MP – on three occasions on allegations that he had personally participated in the riots and instigated a mob in Delhi’s Janakpuri area on November 1, 1984. The case against Sajjan Kumar, still awaiting judicial closure, was connected to the killing of two Sikhs — Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh – during the riots.

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AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj accuses Delhi Police of stopping voters in Chirag Delhi

Bharadwaj highlighted specific locations like Chirag Delhi, where motorcycles, scooters, and cars were prohibited from approaching polling booths.

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On Wednesday, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the Delhi Police had erected barricades 200 meters away from polling stations in areas dominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), hindering vehicle access.

Bharadwaj highlighted specific locations like Chirag Delhi, where motorcycles, scooters, and cars were prohibited from approaching polling booths.

He expressed concern on X, questioning how elderly and disabled voters would be able to walk such a distance to cast their ballots. Bharadwaj also urged the Election Commission and the Delhi Police to clarify the legal basis for this enforcement.

With approximately 1.56 crore eligible voters in Delhi, the election features a competitive battle among AAP, BJP, and Congress. AAP is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the BJP is determined to regain power after more than 25 years. Meanwhile, the Congress, which governed Delhi for 15 years until 2013, is seeking a resurgence after failing to secure a single seat in the previous two elections.

Speaking to reporters, the AAP candidate for the Greater Kailash Assembly seat stated, “You’ve been here since morning trying to influence the elections. Why have the barricades been set up? Which senior officer from the Delhi Police authorized this? This is all aimed at disrupting the local villagers. The Malviya Nagar ACP and SHO are openly carrying out these actions wherever AAP has a strong presence.”

“Last night, the SHO even conducted a raid on our private premises. In this area, 21,000 people are expected to vote, yet the police are imposing restrictions at all 17-18 polling booths in Chirag Delhi. Voters are unable to reach the polling stations either by metro or by road. Did Virendra Sachdeva or President Murmu have to walk 200 meters from their vehicles to vote? There are no clear guidelines on this,” he added.

A total of 699 candidates are contesting in the elections, with both the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress fielding 70 candidates each, while the BJP has put forward 68 candidates and allocated two seats to its allies, JD(U) and LJP. In the key New Delhi constituency, where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is vying to maintain his position, the BJP and Congress have nominated the sons of former Chief Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh and Sandeep Dikshit, respectively.

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Delhi elections: While voting, remember who is responsible for polluted air, dirty water, broken roads, says Rahul Gandhi

With around 1.56 crore registered voters, this election is under close scrutiny, as it has the potential to shape Delhi’s governance moving forward.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday appealed to the Delhi voters to cast their votes responsibly and said that while voting, remember who is responsible for polluted air, dirty water, and broken roads in the capital.

As voting for the 70 Assembly seats kicked off earlier today, Gandhi took to X and said, “Every vote you give to Congress will protect your rights, strengthen the Constitution and put Delhi back on the path of progress.”

“While voting, remember who is responsible for polluted air, dirty water, broken roads. Who committed the biggest scam in Delhi while talking about doing clean politics?” he added.

Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, running against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, called on Delhi residents to vote in large numbers to safeguard their rights.

As polling continues until 6 PM, the election is proving to be a tense affair, with the three major parties—AAP, BJP, and Congress—making their cases for leadership in the national capital.

Earlier in the day, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal urged Delhi voters to recognize the crucial role of their votes in determining the city’s future. He stated, “Hooliganism will lose, and Delhi will win.”

In a message shared on X, Kejriwal emphasized, “Your vote is more than just a button; it is the cornerstone of a bright future for your children. It provides an opportunity for good schools, excellent healthcare, and a dignified life for every family.” His appeal coincided with the start of voting for the Delhi assembly elections.

With around 1.56 crore registered voters, this election is under close scrutiny, as it has the potential to shape Delhi’s governance moving forward.

In his appeal, Kejriwal stressed the moral and political importance of the election, urging citizens to favour “truth, development, and honesty” instead of “politics of lies, hatred, and fear.” He encouraged voters not only to cast their own votes but also to motivate friends, family, and neighbours to do the same.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi joined in the call for voter engagement, characterizing the election as a struggle between good and evil. “This is a contest between hard work and hooliganism,” she stated, motivating citizens to vote for progress and “goodness.”

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also appealed to voters, asking them to support his party’s vision of a “clean, well-governed, and prosperous” Delhi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He urged citizens to vote for the BJP’s lotus symbol, highlighting the need to bolster the “double-engine government” for Delhi’s future development.

Polling is taking place at 13,766 stations across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies, determining the fate of 699 candidates, with results set to be announced on February 8.

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Hooliganism will lose, Delhi will win: Arvind Kejriwal

With around 1.56 crore registered voters, this election is under close scrutiny, as it has the potential to shape Delhi’s governance moving forward.

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On Wednesday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal urged Delhi voters to recognize the crucial role of their votes in determining the city’s future. He stated, “Hooliganism will lose, and Delhi will win.”

In a message shared on X, Kejriwal emphasized, “Your vote is more than just a button; it is the cornerstone of a bright future for your children. It provides an opportunity for good schools, excellent healthcare, and a dignified life for every family.” His appeal coincided with the start of voting for the Delhi assembly elections.

With around 1.56 crore registered voters, this election is under close scrutiny, as it has the potential to shape Delhi’s governance moving forward.

In his appeal, Kejriwal stressed the moral and political importance of the election, urging citizens to favour “truth, development, and honesty” instead of “politics of lies, hatred, and fear.” He encouraged voters not only to cast their own votes but also to motivate friends, family, and neighbours to do the same.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi joined in the call for voter engagement, characterizing the election as a struggle between good and evil. “This is a contest between hard work and hooliganism,” she stated, motivating citizens to vote for progress and “goodness.”

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also appealed to voters, asking them to support his party’s vision of a “clean, well-governed, and prosperous” Delhi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He urged citizens to vote for the BJP’s lotus symbol, highlighting the need to bolster the “double-engine government” for Delhi’s future development.

Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit, running against Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, called on Delhi residents to vote in large numbers to safeguard their rights.

As polling continues until 6 PM, the election is proving to be a tense affair, with the three major parties—AAP, BJP, and Congress—making their cases for leadership in the national capital.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to say, “Every vote for Congress will protect your rights, strengthen the Constitution, and set Delhi back on the path of progress.” He added, “While voting, remember who is accountable for polluted air, dirty water, and broken roads. Who perpetrated the biggest scam in Delhi while claiming to advocate clean politics?”

Polling is taking place at 13,766 stations across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies, determining the fate of 699 candidates, with results set to be announced on February 8.

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