Re-open anti-Sikh riot cases in Delhi, says BJP

The BJP Thursday demanded re-investigation in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases which were closed by Delhi Police, and sought distribution of pending compensations of Rs.182 crore among the victims.

In a letter to union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Rajender Nagar legislator R.P. Singh said the Nanavati Commission recommended re-opening of only four of 241 cases closed by police but the BJP wanted the re-investigation of all the 237 cases.

"We want all the 237 cases to be re-opened and sent for trial to courts. Riot victims will get justice only after these cases are investigated again," Singh said, adding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) must be constituted for the purpose.

Over 3,000 people, mostly Sikhs, were killed in the riots in Delhi following the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi Oct 31, 1984, by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

Gandhi was assassinated after the army entered the Golden Temple in Amritsar to flush out Sikh militants hiding there.

The erstwhile UPA government in 2006 announced a compensation package of Rs.770 crore for the victims but the BJP leader claimed that Rs.182 crore of the total amount is still lying undisbursed.

"The money has still not reached the victims who are living in a sorry state in many parts of Delhi. It will be appreciated if this amount is disbursed in the form of scholarships and for generating employment for the children of the victims," Singh said.