Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Plea For Compensation & Employment, Filed By Man Who Lost His Parents In 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on the plea filed by a man who lost his parents in the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, seeking directions on the Delhi Government to provide him employment in terms of a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs for this purpose.

The plea also sought compensation from the Delhi Government for the loss of his income from the date of his eligibility.

Justice Rekha Palli issued notice on the plea and granted four weeks' time time for the purpose of filing counter affidavit in the matter whereas a further period of two weeks has been granted for filing rejoinder.

Filed through Advocates Gagan Gandhi and Mohit Kaushik, the plea places reliance on the order dated November 27, 2019 passed by the High Court in the case titled Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management & Anr v. Union Of India & Ors., wherein the Court had directed the respondents to follow the circular issued by the MHA dated 16 January, 2006 in accordance with law, rules regulations and Government Policy.

The Court had also held that employment will be given to the children or family members of those who died in 1984 sikh riots, after proper verification of the applicants and on the basis of the evidences on record.

The petition therefore states that despite seeking employment and sending a representation to the Delhi Government on 17 July, 2019, no reply was received by him.

"Because the Petitioner would be deeply affected if the Respondent No. 3 fails to provide the employment to the petitioner The unexplained delay from the Respondents in providing the Petitioner with the employment causes mental stress harassment and loss of income the Petitioner who is already a riot victim in the light of Covid-19 pandemic," the plea states.

Therefore, along with the prayer of seeking employment in terms of the Court's order, the petitioner also seeks compensation for loss of his income to be calculated from 2006 at the salary which he would have been entitled to.

The matter will now be heard in March, 2022.

Case Title: SH PANKAJ BAKSHI v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS