‘Tytler told the mob to kill first and rob later’

Bringing fresh trouble for former minister Jagdish Tytler, a key witness in 1984 riots case today told the CBI that he heard Tytler inciting a mob during the riots that followed the assassination of then PM Indira Gandhi, reports Naziya Alvi.

Bringing fresh trouble for former minister Jagdish Tytler, a key witness in 1984 riots case on Tuesday told the CBI that he heard Tytler inciting a mob during the riots that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

HT Image

The CBI is recording the statement of witness Giani Surinder Singh’s (64) in New York on Monday. The testimony is yet not complete.

Talking to HT over the phone, Singh told the CBI that on November 1, 1984, he was working as the head priest of the Gurduwara Pulbangash in Old Delhi.

“I remember hiding on the roof of the gurduwara when I saw Jagdish Tytler walking in and telling the mob to rob them (Sikh) later but kill them first,” Singh said.

In this attack, three Sikhs —Badal Singh, Delhi Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee employee Thakur Singh, and former Delhi Police Inspector Amarjit Singh — were killed. Witness Surinder Singh had received injuries on his head.

Singh also informed HT that in February this year, he fled to USA after he was allegedly being intimidated and asked to stay away from the legal process.

“On February 23 this year, I had visited the CBI office in Chandigarh following which I started receiving intimidating calls. On February 29, I left for USA to save my and my families’ lived,” Singh added.

Singh further alleged that after the riots when he went to a government office seeking compensation, he was pushed out and told that compensation was only for the dead and he should regret living. Singh is now giving religious discourses to Sikhs in USA.