India News

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

Published

9 years ago

January 10, 2018

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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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

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10 hours ago

September 4, 2026

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Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

15 hours ago

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India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

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India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.