1984 riot victims oppose plea to drop witnesses

Victims in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on Monday opposed Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s plea to drop nine CBI witnesses, saying they are “very important” and leaving them out will be “miscarriage of justice”.

Victims in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on Monday opposed Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s plea to drop nine CBI witnesses, saying they are “very important” and leaving them out will be “miscarriage of justice”.

HT Image

“The CBI had filed a consolidated chargesheet of three separate FIRs and the nine prosecution witnesses, who are very important in related matter, cannot be dropped,” senior advocate HS Phoolka, appearing for the victims, said.

Phoolka made his submission before district judge JR Aryan during hearing on a plea by Kumar and three other accused who had sought removal of the agency’s witnesses claiming they were “irrelevant”.

Meanwhile, the CBI filed its response on applications of Kumar and others seeking summoning of records of two other cases which have already been decided.

Phoolka also informed the court that there are a number of appeals pending before the Delhi high court and in these circumstances the accused can get the certified copy of the documents they required.

The arguments which remained inconclusive will continue on October 19.

In a related development, Phoolka has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking security for the witnesses.

The top cop has assured all help.