'84 riots witnesses backtrack, speak for Tytler

CBI FILES REPORT: On April 14, the court will decide if there is enough evidence against Tytler for him to face trial.

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Keywords: Tytler, CBI

New Delhi: The CBI on Wednesday filed its status report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, informing the court that five witnesses have been examined. However, sources have told CNN-IBN that at least three of those witnesses have spoken in favour of main accused, Congress leader Jagdish Tytler.

Most of the riot victims had thought that the CBI would bring them a much-needed ray of hope on April 9 by filing its status report, enumerating evidence against Tytler.

Sources tell CNN-IBN that just one of the witnesses, Surinder Singh — who was tracked down by CNN-IBN — stood by his evidence, that Jagdish Tytler incited a mob outside Gurudwara Pul Bangash in November 1984.

While Surinder Singh stood his ground, his father Ajit Singh and brother Jaswant Singh allegedly said that Tytler was not present at the scene. They also discredited Surinder Singh's evidence, saying he was lying.

The fourth witness in the case, the daughter of one of those killed in the massacre, allegedly said she wasn't present at the time. The CBI however refused to go public with their names saying their lives may be in danger.

The Carnage Commitee Lawyer, H S Phulka says, "Who is endangering the lives of these witnesses?"

Meanwhile, the CBI has still not questioned another key witness Jasbir Singh, — who was tracked down by CNN-IBN — on the grounds that they were not sure of his identity.

The CBI wanted Jasbir Singh to come to India to depose , something Jasbir refuses to do as he fears for his life.

On April 14, the court will decide if there is enough evidence against Tytler for him to face trial, or can the CBI be allowed to close the case.