'84 riots victims demand Dhawan, Bachchan be examined

Victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots today moved a court here questioning CBI's probe into a case allegedly involving former union minister Jagdish Tytler and demanded senior Congress leader RK Dhawan and actor Amitabh Bachchan be examined as witnesses by the probe agency.

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DSGPC) and November '84 Carnage Justice Committee challenged CBI's claim that Tytler was not present at the site of riots, as the agency had not examined Dhawan and Bachchan, who were present at Teen Murti Bhawan beside the body of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Advocate HS Phoolka, who represented the two associations during the hearing held in the chamber of the judge, briefed reporters about the proceedings.

CBI had produced a CD before the court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Rakesh Pandit to claim that Tytler was present at the residence of Gandhi and not at the riot site. Bachchan, Dhawan and additional commissioner of police Gautam Kaul were also present at Teen Murti Bhawan.

The probe agency cited Tytler's presence at Teen Murti Bhawan to give a clean chit to him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which three persons were killed in north Delhi following the assassination of Gandhi.

A CD produced by CBI was played in the judge's chamber in the presence of CBI counsel and victims' advocates.

According to Phoolka, persons like Dhawan, Bachchan and the additional commissioner of police Gautam Kaul were shown in the CD.