New Delhi/ Ludhiana (February 25, 2010): As per a newsletter sent by Sikhs for Justice a Delhi Court, on 24th February, has ordered the CBI to furnish a copy of four statements, three affidavits of eye witness Giani Surinder Singh and the statement of eye witness Jasbir Singh to Sikhs for Justice’s advocates. Court also directed CBI to provide the copy of closure report to Sikhs for Justice Counsel Vrinda Grover, representing Lakhwinder Kaur widow of Badal Singh who was killed during November 1984 Sikh massacre.
In December 2008, due to the efforts of Sikhs for Justice, CBI had come to USA and recorded statements of eye-witnesses Jasbir Singh and Giani Surinder Singh. Giani Surinder Singh’s statement was recorded by CBI in New York on December 23-24, 2008. The statement was recorded in about 14 hours and Giani Surinder Singh had alleged harassment at the hands of CBI stating, “It seems that instead of Jagdish Tytler, they want to portray me as the perpetrator of the massacre. The questions CBI asked me should have been directed at Tytler, who brought the mob and directed them to kill the Sikhs first and rob them later.” Giani Surinder Singh was the head Granthi of Gurdwara Pulbangash Sahib and witnessed burning alive of three Sikhs on November 1, 1984 by a mob led and directed by Jagdish Tytler.
Incidentally, Giani Surinder Singh died in July 2009 in mysterious circumstances while he had gone to India to testify against Jagdish Tytler.
Jasbir Singh’s statement was recorded by CBI on December 25-26, 2008 in California. He had testified that he had seen Jagdish Tytler rebuking his men for not killing enough Sikhs in his constituency. After his media statement in 2007, Jasbir Singh alleged that he was contacted by someone close to Jagdish Tytler and offered bribe and was intimidated. Jasbir Singh had refused to change his statement.
Attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Legal Advisor, Sikhs for Justice stated that closure of cases against Jagdish Tytler despite such credible witnesses would be denial of justice. Attorney Pannun further stated that there are more witnesses who have come forward against Jagdish Tytler and would be produced before the court. Among the witnesses who have come forward are Resham Singh, Alam Singh and Chain Singh.
During November 1984 massacre of Sikhs, Resham Singh saw Jagdish Tytler outside Gurdwara Pulbangash Sahib, Delhi. Resham Singh’s account corroborates late Giani Surinder Singh’s statement. Giani Surinder Singh’s sworn and written statement to CBI clearly names the two eye witnesses Alam Singh and Chain Singh who were also present there with him. Whereas, the closure report of CBI does not even mention Alam Singh and Chain Singh.