Tytler likely to get CBI clean chit in 1984 riots case

New Delhi: The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) on Saturday filed its final investigation report before a Delhi Court into a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case allegedly involving former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler.

Sources say Tytler was likely to get a clean chit from the CBI concerning his involvement in the case.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN Tytler said, "Twenty-four years after the riots, one Nanavati Commision says we 'heard' Mr Tytler inciting the mobs, not even seeing me there."

"I saw some news channels say that Tytler has been given a clean chit. I had to suffer on a lie, I am the cleanest person as far as my ministry, my character is concerned. I have served the people well and that is whats I'm going to do in this constituency."

Senior Supreme Court lawyer for the 1984 victims, H S Phoolka, claimed the CBI had delayed Tytler getting the clean chit.

“The CBI is delaying giving Tytler the clean chit in the case. The government is pressurising the CBI to give Tytler the clean chit. We will challenge CBI’s closure report on Tytler's role in anti-Sikh riots,” Phoolka said.

The investigating agency submitted the report before Metropolitan Magistrate Ram Lal Meena.

The court will consider the report on April 2.

BJP leader Prakash Javdekar took a strong stand against the CBI giving Tytler the clean chit as he said, “Today CBI gave a clean chit to Tytler, it is perfect timing just before the polls.”

“A clean chit to Tytler is a political conspiracy and is adding insult to injury of the thousands who suffered in 84 riots,” he added.

The report was filed after the CBI had examined California-based witness Jasbir Singh in the case who was earlier declared non-traceable by it. Singh had in an affidavit before Nanavati Commission which inquired into the anti-Sikh riots, stated that on November 3, 1984 he had overheard Tytler commenting on the killing of Sikhs in his constituency.

Javdekar also criticised Congress on their role in the case, “Congress has overlooked the murder of thousands who died in '84 anti-Sikh riots. The culprits are still at large, we denounce this clean chit to them,” he said.

“The Congress should put their own house in order, like their leader Imran Kidwai saying that anyone voting for the BJP from the minority community is a ‘kaafir’,” he added.

Meanwhile, CBI had earlier submitted that it has already examined 10 witnesses in the case and the final report in this case will be submitted by March 28.