New Delhi (July 13, 2010): Jagdish Kaur, a witness in the Delhi Cantonment case, during her cross examination in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta told the court trying Congress Leader Sajjan Kumar and others that during November 1984 Sikh massacre she did not go to the police station as policemen were among the killers.
She stated in the court:
• “I did not want to go the police station because the police officials were among the killers”
• “I had lost faith in everybody and therefore I did not approach the Chief Minister, Home Minister or any other Minister in Punjab or any other authority.”
Jagdish Kaur lost her husband, her son and her three brothers in November 1984 Sikh massacre.
On July 3, 2010, Jagdish Kaur, during her cross examination in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta identified Sajjan Kumar as a person instigating the mob during the massacre. Court had already framed charges against Sajjan Kumar in the case registered at Delhi Cantonment in connection with the murder of seven persons.
On July 5, 2010 Jagdish Kaur developed high blood pressure while she was in the court and was taken to hospital from the court.
On July 8, 2010 Jagdish Kaur, during her two hour long cross examination in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta told the court that during November 1984 Sikh massacre, the mob armed with iron rod, digging tools and other lethal weapons first pounced upon her son and caused injuries to him and then upon her husband virtually crushed her husband’s head and dragged him to the room where he dropped dead. She further stated that her son ran for some distance in the street, where he was attacked by the mob again, and then the mob set him on fire.
The cross examination of Jagdish Kaur will resume on July 15, 2010.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor Sikhs For Justice that Jagdish Kaur’s statement confirms the fact that during the November 1984 Genocide of Sikhs, the killing of Sikhs throughout India was planned and organized by the Congress leaders, administrative authorities and Police officials.
He further stated that in reference to the role of police officials, Report of the Justice Nanavati Commission clearly states “Looters were encouraged by the police. Sikhs were killed by police fire arms provided to the murderous mobs by the police themselves”, “The police at other places watched as silent spectators while Sikhs were burnt alive in their very presence”, “Police officers were heard inquiring from the mobs how many murgas were killed”, “Sikhs who went to police station to report attacks were told whatever was happening is the right thing to happen and they should wait and the flame would be put on them as well”. In the light of the Nanavati Commission’s report and other evidence, it becomes clear that the killing of Sikhs in November 1984 was with the full support of police officials. He further pressed the need for investigation of the police officials during that time.
All India Sikh Students Federation President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad stated this recent statement of Jagdish Kaur and the evidence obtained under Right to Information Act (RTI) clearly reveals that Killings of Sikhs in November 1984 took place with the help of police officials in many states and cities across India. This fact of killings of Sikhs in several states and cities, therefore, necessitates a proper investigation.