Delhi Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Congress Leader Jagdish Tyler In 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case

A Delhi Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a supplementary chargesheet against Tyler in May on which cognizance was taken.

“…the application filed by applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is allowed and in the event of applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler appearing before Ld.ACMM-01, RADC, New Delhi on 05.08.2023, the Ld.ACMM-01, RADC, New Delhi is directed to release the applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler on bail on his furnishing a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lac only) with one surety of the like amount,” Special Judge Vikas Dhull of Rouse Avenue Courts said.

The judge granted relief subject to the condition that Tytler will not try to threaten or intimidate any of the witnesses and will not try to contact any of the witnesses in any manner whatsoever, till the conclusion of trial.

The court noted that Jagdish Tytler was chargesheeted without arrest by CBI and was not chargesheeted earlier either by Delhi Police or the CBI. It further noted that CBI had not recommended any action against him in the first supplementary report filed in March 2009 and second supplementary final report filed in December 2014.

“….and having regard to the fact that two eye witnesses have made their statements after a gap of around 40 years and to the fact that applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler has co-operated in the investigation, the application filed by applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is allowed,” the court said.

Based on the recommendation made by Justice Nanawati Commission, the Union Government had directed the CBI to conduct re-investigation in the cases against Tytler and various others. Accordingly, CBI had re-registered an FIR in November 2005. However, no action was recommended against him in the chargesheet by CBI. Later, supplementary chargesheet was filed against him in May this year.

The judge noted that even in the chargesheet, there is no specific allegation against Tytler that in the past, any of the witness was threatened, date of such threat, the manner in which witness was threatened and the complaint made by the witness to any authority.

“Further, there is no chance of applicant/accused Jagdish Tytler absconding as he has got deep roots in the society and for the past around 40 years, he has joined the investigation as and when summoned by the Delhi Police / CBI,” the court said.

Click Here To Read Order