08-08-2005, 07:33 PM
Nanavati panel indicts Cong leaders
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The report of the G T Nanavati Commission, which probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was tabled in the Lok Sabha today by Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
The report was tabled along with the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the last day of the expiry of the six-month deadline for its presentation in Parliament.
The panel says there was no evidence of a lapse at the highest level but points a finger of suspicion at Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and H K L Bhagat and other local Congress leaders.
But significantly the report gives the central government headed the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi a clean chit. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /><!--endemo--> <i>(the guy justified it as earth shaking after big tree being uprooted)</i>
The ATR agrees with some of the observations made in the report on the role of certain key officials, yet says more evidence needs to be investigated.
Speaking to NDTY, Justice Nanavati said that there is credible evidence that Congress leaders have participated in the riots.
Tytler's role
<b>The Nanavati panel says there is a high probability that Union Minister Jagdish Tytler was involved. </b>
However, the ATR observed that it is clear from the remark "very probably" against Tytler that the one-man panel itself was not absolutely sure about his involvement in the attacks.
The ATR observed, "It may be pointed out that in criminal cases, a person cannot be prosecuted simply on the basis of probability."
'Probably involved'
<b>The commission has noted that "there is credible material" against Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Balwan Khokhar and that they were "probably involved as alleged by witnesses".</b>
The report also says that the 7 FIRs against Congress MP Sajjan Kumar should be investigated. The ATR has pointed out that the five FIRs have already been dealt with while two FIRs do not relate to anti-Sikh riots
The commission also recommended the examination of only those cases where the witnesses had accused Congress leader Sajjan Kumar specifically.
<b>On H K L Bhagat's role, Justice Nanavati says given his mental and physical condition he has recommended no action, but he had a hand in the riots.</b>
Credible evidence
On the alleged role of Union Minister for Commerce Kamal Nath, the report says there is little or no evidence.
<b>In the 339-page report, the commission was of the view that there was "credible evidence" against Dharam Das Shastri that he had instigated his men, Tek Chand Sharma and Rajinder Singh, to organise attacks on Sikhs. </b>
The panel recommended to the government that "it should examine the relevant material and direct investigation or further investigation as may be found necessary with regard to the allegations."
Gavai 'responsible'
As far as then Lt Governor P G Gavai was concerned, the report said the explanation given by him was "not satisfactory and does not convince the commission in recording the finding that there was no lapse at his level."
It further said, "Gavai was the person responsible for maintenance of law and order in Delhi and, therefore, he cannot escape the responsibility for its failure."
"The government had taken immediate administrative action. Gavai was replaced by MMK Wali as LG of Delhi on November 4, 1984," the ATR observed.
Meanwhile, Gavai in Nagpur said he was being made the fall guy. He accused the Home Ministry of adopting delaying tactics when he went to them to ask for additional forces.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil defended the government's action.
He said the Nanavati report did not give the government much basis to prosecute or re-investigate Congress leaders.
Meanwhile, the NDA-led Opposition has said it will protest how local level Congress leaders have been let off in the riots.
Minorities panel unhappy
Reacting to the tabling of the report, the Akali Dal (Badal) faction says it will now hold demonstrations outside Parliament to protest against the ATR.
"It is sad that despite being active participants through partition we had to face such injustice. All those people who have been named in the report including Tytler and Sajjan Kumar should not be allowed to go scot free," said S S Dhindsa, Akali Dal (Badal) MP.
At a meeting of the Akali Dal, presided by its chief Prakash Singh Badal, the party says it will announce an exact date for that demonstration tomorrow.
Criticizing the Nanavati panel report, the Minorities Commission said it is unhappy with the government's ATR.
Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Tarlochan Singh said the report is unsatisfactory. (With PTI inputs)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The report of the G T Nanavati Commission, which probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was tabled in the Lok Sabha today by Home Minister Shivraj Patil.
The report was tabled along with the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the last day of the expiry of the six-month deadline for its presentation in Parliament.
The panel says there was no evidence of a lapse at the highest level but points a finger of suspicion at Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar and H K L Bhagat and other local Congress leaders.
But significantly the report gives the central government headed the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi a clean chit. <!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /><!--endemo--> <i>(the guy justified it as earth shaking after big tree being uprooted)</i>The ATR agrees with some of the observations made in the report on the role of certain key officials, yet says more evidence needs to be investigated.
Speaking to NDTY, Justice Nanavati said that there is credible evidence that Congress leaders have participated in the riots.
Tytler's role
<b>The Nanavati panel says there is a high probability that Union Minister Jagdish Tytler was involved. </b>
However, the ATR observed that it is clear from the remark "very probably" against Tytler that the one-man panel itself was not absolutely sure about his involvement in the attacks.
The ATR observed, "It may be pointed out that in criminal cases, a person cannot be prosecuted simply on the basis of probability."
'Probably involved'
<b>The commission has noted that "there is credible material" against Congress leaders Sajjan Kumar and Balwan Khokhar and that they were "probably involved as alleged by witnesses".</b>
The report also says that the 7 FIRs against Congress MP Sajjan Kumar should be investigated. The ATR has pointed out that the five FIRs have already been dealt with while two FIRs do not relate to anti-Sikh riots
The commission also recommended the examination of only those cases where the witnesses had accused Congress leader Sajjan Kumar specifically.
<b>On H K L Bhagat's role, Justice Nanavati says given his mental and physical condition he has recommended no action, but he had a hand in the riots.</b>
Credible evidence
On the alleged role of Union Minister for Commerce Kamal Nath, the report says there is little or no evidence.
<b>In the 339-page report, the commission was of the view that there was "credible evidence" against Dharam Das Shastri that he had instigated his men, Tek Chand Sharma and Rajinder Singh, to organise attacks on Sikhs. </b>
The panel recommended to the government that "it should examine the relevant material and direct investigation or further investigation as may be found necessary with regard to the allegations."
Gavai 'responsible'
As far as then Lt Governor P G Gavai was concerned, the report said the explanation given by him was "not satisfactory and does not convince the commission in recording the finding that there was no lapse at his level."
It further said, "Gavai was the person responsible for maintenance of law and order in Delhi and, therefore, he cannot escape the responsibility for its failure."
"The government had taken immediate administrative action. Gavai was replaced by MMK Wali as LG of Delhi on November 4, 1984," the ATR observed.
Meanwhile, Gavai in Nagpur said he was being made the fall guy. He accused the Home Ministry of adopting delaying tactics when he went to them to ask for additional forces.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil defended the government's action.
He said the Nanavati report did not give the government much basis to prosecute or re-investigate Congress leaders.
Meanwhile, the NDA-led Opposition has said it will protest how local level Congress leaders have been let off in the riots.
Minorities panel unhappy
Reacting to the tabling of the report, the Akali Dal (Badal) faction says it will now hold demonstrations outside Parliament to protest against the ATR.
"It is sad that despite being active participants through partition we had to face such injustice. All those people who have been named in the report including Tytler and Sajjan Kumar should not be allowed to go scot free," said S S Dhindsa, Akali Dal (Badal) MP.
At a meeting of the Akali Dal, presided by its chief Prakash Singh Badal, the party says it will announce an exact date for that demonstration tomorrow.
Criticizing the Nanavati panel report, the Minorities Commission said it is unhappy with the government's ATR.
Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Tarlochan Singh said the report is unsatisfactory. (With PTI inputs)
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