Click to play videoNew Delhi: Hours after a Delhi court ordered a re-investigation into Congress leader Jagdish Tytler’s role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Congress sought to downplay the order.
Maintaining that Tytler was “always innocent”, the party said it was hopeful the leader would come through clear of all charges.
"It is a judicial order and we have nothing to say about it. Law will take its own course. As far as our knowledge is concerned, he was always innocent and we know that he will come out of this clear of all charges," AICC spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed was quoted as agencies by saying.
A fortnight ago, CNN-IBN had tracked down Jasbir Singh, the prime witness in the riots case to California - a man the CBI claimed it could not find. Singh said he was never approached by the agency and was willing to testify against the Congress leader provided his safety was ensured.
However on a day that the Karkardooma court in Delhi ordered a re-probe into Tytler’s role, he insisted he had done no wrong and that Singh was not a prime witness to the riots.
"Where is the key witness? He's not the key witness. I am happy the judge has said that the CBI should enquire from Jasbir Singh's affidavit, find out the truth and then act on it. All the lies that have been spread will also be told. If found guilty even after 20 yrs, I will be the first person who'll be ready to be hanged,” Tytler told CNN-IBN.
Meanwhile, Sikh bodies welcomed the court decision and said the probe should be completed within a time-frame.
Shiromani Akali Dal and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee were quoted as saying by agencies that they were willing to bear the travel expenses of Jasbir Singh and would further ensure his safety in India.
The two bodies have also demanded a probe order against a former president and a member of DSGPC for their alleged role in the riots that broke out after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
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