41 fakes detected in 1984 anti-Sikh riots death claims

A criminal case was registered Tuesday against unknown people who tried to fraudulently claim compensation for 41 people by getting their names added to the list of the dead during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a police source said.

The Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police registered the case almost 10 days after the fraud came to light in a screening committee meeting of the police anti-riot cell and the Delhi government's revenue department, the source informed.

The government had planned to give compensation to the residents of north Delhi's Sultanpuri and Mangolpuri area who were killed during 1984 Sikh riots.

The anti-riot cell was instructed to check on the 41 names enlisted among those who were killed in the riots, sources said.

"During investigation, it was found that all the 41 mentioned people were alive. The list of names of these people was submitted after a forged verification letter of anti-riot cell," said the source.

"As per the anti-riot cell's record, the number of dead people was 1,553. But, around 2,200 people received compensation," said a police officer.

The families of those killed in the riots were given Rs.7 lakh each.

The case for the fraud was registered on the basis of complaint filed by the deputy commissioner of police, anti-riot cell.