In a significant development, a Delhi court has granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in connection with the killing of three people at Delhi’s Gurdwara Pul Bangash during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The riots erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Additional sessions judge Vikas Dhull, presiding over the case, directed Tytler not to tamper with evidence or contact any witnesses during the proceedings. The bail was granted upon a personal bond of ₹1 lakh. Tytler sought anticipatory bail after the Central Bureau of India (CBI) filed a charge sheet in the case, and the additional chief metropolitan magistrate Vidhi Anand Gupta took cognizance of it on July 26, subsequently summoning the accused. In his plea, Tytler emphasized that he had never been arrested during the extensive 40-year investigation into the matter.
He also pointed out that anticipatory bail had been granted to Sajjan Kumar in connection with the same 1984 riots. Tytler, now 79 years old and battling various ailments, is scheduled to appear before the magistrate’s court on August 5. However, the victims’ lawyer, H S Phoolka, vehemently opposed the bail plea, arguing that Tytler’s influential status could lead to potential witness tampering and evidence manipulation. The tragic incident occurred on November 1, 1984, when Gurdwara Pul Bangash was set ablaze a day after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Three individuals, namely Badal Singh, Sardar Thakur Singh, and Gurbachan Singh, lost their lives in the violent aftermath of the assassination.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots have remained a dark chapter in India’s history, and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families has been a long and arduous journey. As the case involving Jagdish Tytler progresses, it continues to draw attention to the need for accountability and closure in the wake of such devastating events. The court’s decision on anticipatory bail has further intensified the public’s interest in the matter and has once again brought the focus on ensuring justice for the victims of the 1984 riots.