Delhi Court told in 84 riots case: Tytler tried to influence witness
EmailNew Delhi, June 3
On Wednesday Delhi court directed the prime investigation agency CBI to reply on the allegations that Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who was accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot case, tried to influence a witness in the case in which the agency has filed a closure report.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, SPS Laler to find the CBI’s response on the statement recorded by the agency of jailed businessman Abhishek Verma during its further investigation in the riots case. The court, which was hearing arguments on the CBI’s closure report filed in the case against Tytler, has now fixed the matter for June 26.
Arguing the case senior Counsel HS Phoolka, who represented the riots victims, appraised the court that Verma in his statement had told the CBI that Tytler had allegedly struck a deal with Surinder Kumar Granthi, who was a prime witness in the case and had deposed against the Congress leader about his involvement in the case.
“As per the deal, large amount was paid to Surinder (who has died) besides settling his son Narinder Singh abroad. He (Tytler) also told me (Verma) that he had ascend pressure on Narinder who in turn was to pressurize his father Surinder to change his statement in favour of Jagdish Tytler,” Verma had told the CBI.
Verma had alleged in his statement that in 2010, Tytler had sent Rs 5 crore to his sister who lives in Canada and the money was sent through hawala and when the amount reached the account of a trust, it was frozen by the concerned bank.
Phoolka also urged the court that two criminal cases – hawala transaction and influencing the witness – be registered against Tytler.
The CBI has also recorded statement of Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan in the case. Phoolka also said that he would file a protest petition against the closure report submitted by the CBI.
The CBI had said it has conducted further probe in the case, as directed by a session’s court, and filed a closure report in the matter. In April 2013, the CBI was directed by a session’s court to further investigate the case as it set aside its earlier closure report.
In his statement to CBI Amitabh Bachan said, “Many dignitaries visited Teen Murty House from November 1, November 3, 1984. RK Dhawan and Gautam Kaul were among the several persons who were present at Teen Murty House. However, I cannot recollect whether Jagdish Tytler was present there or not.”
