Jagdish Tytler's plea against charges in 1984 riots case deferred to November

The plea challenges Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court's decision to frame charges for murder and other offences in the 1984 case. 

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday deferred to November a petition filed by Congress leader Jagdish Tytler challenging the framing of charges against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

The plea challenges Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court's decision to frame charges for murder and other offences in the 1984 case.

In August, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court ordered the framing of charges against Jagdish Tytler in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, relating to killings of Sikhs in Delhi’s Pul Bangash area.

The court, while pronouncing its order, stated that there are sufficient grounds to proceed against Tytler on multiple charges, including murder, rioting, and abetment.

On Tuesday, Tytler’s lawyer took the High Court through the order and statements of witnesses in the case.

According to news agency PTI, Tytler, in his plea, claimed he was a victim of a "witch-hunt" and contended that the trial court's order framing charges against him was perverse, illegal and lacked application of mind.

"By way of the impugned order, the trial court has erroneously framed charges against the petitioner overlooking the settled principles of law on the point of charge," he said in the petition.

Following this, the court pointed out that some statements are not on record.

The Delhi High Court then re-notified the case for November 29, to get the witness statements on record.

With regard to the trial court proceedings, the High Court said the petitioner could inform the trial court that a High Court hearing is underway.

However, the High Court did not pause the trial court proceedings.

Anti-Sikh riots erupted in several parts of the country in the aftermath of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

Jagdish Tytler was granted anticipatory bail in the case by a Sessions Court in August last year.