Court stays magistrate's order directing probe in 1984 riot case

A court here on Saturday stayed a magisterial court order directing police to probe the cause of death of two men in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Special Judge Pitamber Dutt's stay order came on a Delhi Police plea challenging a magisterial court order. The court also issued notice to the complainant Amrik Singh Lovely and listed the matter for February 7.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Sudhanshu Kaushik on Monday directed Station House Officer of Paharganj in central Delhi to register an First Information Report (FIR) clarifying that "purpose of the investigation is to find out the cause of death of Amir Singh and Narender Singh in the light of allegations leveled by the complainant."

The court was hearing a plea filed by Lovely who has sought registration of case against the two retired senior police officials Amod Kanth and S. S. Manan.

Lovely's counsel Jitender Kumar Dhingra has told the court that both of the accused violated the "invaluable constitution right."

Lovely lost two members of his family -- Amir Singh and Narender Singh-- during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

According to complainant, Amir Singh and Narender Singh succumbed to injuries after they were tortured by police in the custody.

He also told court he and his family were implicated by police, but later acquitted by court.

However, Delhi Police, which has oppose the plea, that fresh probe will not solve any probe.

The public prosecutor also argued that at this stage, this court can not order re-investigation.

"The court can only order further investigation but re-investigation is prohibited," the prosecutor said

--IANS

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