Court asks for CBI’s response on affidavits

A city court has sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a plea by Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, on whether witnesses can be confronted with their affidavits submitted before two commissions of inquiry that was constituted to examine the riot cases. HT reports.

A city court has sought a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a plea by Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, on whether witnesses can be confronted with their affidavits submitted before two commissions of inquiry that was constituted to examine the riot cases.

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On an application filed by Sajjan Kumar, district judge JR Aryan on May 15 issued a notice to the CBI and gave the agency time to respond by May 19.

Sajjan Kumar's counsel IU Khan claimed the CBI had earlier brought on record the complainant and key prosecution witness Jagdish Kaur's affidavit that was submitted to the Ranganathan Mishra Commission of Inquiry and Nanavati Commission of Inquiry. The agency had examined the affidavit then but now wasn't relying on the documents saying it cannot be used because of contradictions.

"While leading evidence, the prosecution (CBI) relied upon these two affidavits and statement of Jagdish Kaur and got proved affidavits filed before Ranganathan Mishra Commission of Inquiry and Nanavati Commission of Inquiry from her on July 2, 2010. How can the CBI say these documents cannot be used," the counsel asked. He added the trial court, while framing charges against the accused, had also relied on these documents.

The case was listed for advancement of final arguments by the accused but the counsel pleaded the court to first decide whether the documents could be relied upon. Sajjan Kumar is facing trial in the killings of six people in Delhi Cantonment area during the 1984 carnage.