AAP, BJP, Akali Dal demand SIT probe into 1984 riots

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung to submit his request for a SIT probe into the riots

The AAP, BJP and the Akali Dal Wednesday demanded an SIT probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi admitted some party members' involvement in the violence.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Wednesday morning to submit his request for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the riots.

"The meeting went on for around half-an-hour. Najeeb Jung has assured that his request would be considered and the prime minister will be informed," an official said.

Talking to the media, Kejriwal said the party promised to demand an SIT probe into the riots in its election manifesto and was fulfilling the promise.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Harsh Vardhan also met Jung Wednesday afternoon.

"We want justice for the victims of 1984 and are demanding an SIT probe in the riots," Harsh Vardhan told the media.

The BJP also demanded Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti's resignation. The minister carried out a midnight raid in a south Delhi neighbourhood after receiving complaints about a prostitution and drug racket ring allegedly involving some African nationals.

Akali Dal's Delhi unit president Manjit Singh G.K. told reporters that now that Rahul Gandhi has acknowledged the role of Congress leaders in the riots, he should take action against them too.

"We don't want an apology but action against the culprits in the 1984 riots. We demand an SIT probe," Manjit Singh said, adding that an agitation would be organised outside the Congress party's headquarters at 24 Akbar Road Thursday morning.