1984 anti Sikh riot: Govt. forms SIT to probe

The Home Ministry has constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) for re-investigating the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases.

As per reports, the newly-constituted SIT has been empowered to examine afresh evidence in cases which had even been closed.

The SIT headed by Pramod Asthana, an IPS officer of 1986 batch, has reportedly been given six months to complete the probe.

The president of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh had earlier this month called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the issue.

The constitution of a SIT for re-investigation was recommended by a government-appointed committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice G.P. Mathur. He had submitted its report to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh last month, recommending a fresh probe of such cases.

Earlier in December, the Government had approved a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the kin of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Over 3,000 victims of the 1984 violence, triggered by the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, are likely to benefit from the government's announcement.