Sarnas appear before Takht, submit reply

The five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, have formed a committee to look into the Sarna brothers-advocate Phoolka tangle.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna along with their supporters appeared before the five Sikh high priests at Akal Takht today.

The duo submitted their clarification putting forth their stance regarding the controversy erupted over the alleged remarks made by the Sarna brothers against advocate HS Phoolka.

They had said the lawyer HS Phoolka, fighting the 1984 riot victims’ cases, had “wasted money” and made personal gains.

The Sarna brothers were summoned to Akal Takht on a complaint filed by Phoolka.

“We have formed a committee that will look into the entire episode. It will examine the issue and give its report within two months. Any action will be taken on the basis of the report of the panel, which will function under the direct supervision of the five Sikh high priests,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.

Parmjit Singh Sarna, who was flanked by his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna and a large number of supporters, reached the Golden Temple complex. Advocate Phoolka also reached there along with journalist Jarnail Singh. All-India Shiromani Akali Dal president Jaswant Singh Maan was also present along with senior Akali leader Manjit Singh Tarantarni.

Parmjit Singh Sarna said he and other DSGMC office-bearers had full regard for Akal Takht and its verdict would be final. Giving account of the controversy, the Sarna brothers said they had never said anything objectionable about Phoolka and it was he who had leveled “serious and baseless” allegations against them in an interview on TV.

He also said the DSGMC had made a payment of Rs 99.94 crore to Phoolka for fighting the 1984 victims’ cases.

We examined all material to close case against Tytler: CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday claimed before a Delhi court that it had examined all material aspects before deciding to close a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against former union minister Jagdish Tytler.

“CBI has considered all the aspects, which emerged during the investigation and a broad, balanced and independent decision has been taken in the case,” the probe agency told Additional Sessions Judge V. K. Khanna.

Seeking dismissal of a petition filed by the family of the riots victim challenging the CBI’s decision to file the closure report against Mr. Tytler, the agency said there was no evidence to prosecute him in the case.

“It is prayed that the revision petition filed on behalf of Lakhvinder Kaur be rejected as it is devoid of any merit and has been filed with a purpose to delay the matter,” the CBI said.

The investigating agency said the former union minister was present at the Teen Murti Bhawan, where the body of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was kept, at the time of the incident.

“The role of Tytler was investigated from all possible angles including the possibility of his being involved in conspiracy behind the incident. However, no such role of Tytler came to light,” the CBI said.

The investigating agency said it had made “concerted” efforts to locate and examine the witnesses to nail the culprits in the incident at Gurudwara Pulbangash here.

The CBI alleged the petitioner was trying to introduce new witnesses like Chanchal Singh in the case in order to “delay the matter by hook or crook“.

It said the witness, Jasbir Singh, who is residing in California (U.S.), was making a false and concocted statement which could not withstand the test of the truth.

The CBI cited the version of witness Surinder Singh, who died in AIIMS last year, to maintain that Mr. Tytler had no role in the incident.

The court, after going through CBI’s written submission, asked the victim’s family to file its response and posted the matter for further hearing on August 21.