Newsletters - April 2010
April 29, 2010
COURTS DECISION TO CLOSE TYTLER'S CASE INVITES UPROAR IN PARLIAMENT AND MASSIVE PROTESTS
GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF DOING "PRECIOUS LITTLE" TO BRING THE CULPRITS TO BOOK
The Court's acceptance of the closure report of CBI in case of Jagdish Tytler's involvement in November 1984 Sikh Genocide today led to eruption of hue and cry in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in India. The closure also led to massive protests by All India Sikh Students Federation and Sikhs for Justice.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor Sikhs For Justice stated that CBI ignored and deliberately failed to record the statement of witnesses Resham Singh, Chanchal Singh and Alam Singh of California against Jagdish Tytler for his involvement in the killings of Sikhs in November 1984. He stated that several requests were made to CBI team during their visit to USA in December 2008 to record Resham Singh's testimony but the CBI team deliberately and maliciously didn't record Resham Singh's testimony.
Attorney Pannun stated that the decision of the Court to accept the closure report in Tytler's case will be challenged. He further stated that the legal battle to get justice for the victims of November 1984 Sikh Genocide will not end until the culprits are punished by law.
All India Sikh Students Federation President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad stated that commissions and committees have been setup to investigate the killings of the Sikhs that took place in Delhi. However, till date, not a single commission or committee has been set up to conduct nationwide investigation into the killings of Sikhs in November 1984. The evidence obtained under Right to Information Act (RTI) clearly reveals that Killings of Sikhs in November 1984 took place in many states and cities across India and was not just limited to Delhi. This fact of killings of Sikhs in several states and cities, therefore, necessitates a nation-wide investigation.
Sikhs for Justice is preparing to file PIL petitions before High Courts of the states where Sikhs were killed in November 1984. The Petitions will request the respective high courts to conduct judicial inquiry into the killings of Sikhs and order the filing of charges against those responsible for the killings.
At the international level, Sikhs For Justice is reaching out to International community to get recognized the fact that massacre of Sikhs in November 1984 was not Anti-Sikh riots as portrayed by the Government of India for the last twenty five years but a "Genocide" as the massacre of Sikhs was systematic, planned and organized by the Political leaders with the active help of Police and Paramilitary forces. Sikhs for Justice will make efforts to move motions in US Congress, Canadian Parliament and in European Union States to recognize massacre of Sikhs in November 1984 as "Genocide".
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April 28, 2010
"COURTS DECISION TO CLOSE TYTLER'S CASE WILL BE CHALLENGED"
CBI FAILED TO RECORD STATEMENT OF WITNESSES AGAINST TYTLER
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor Sikhs For Justice stated that CBI ignored and deliberately failed to record the statement of additional witnesses Resham Singh, Chanchal Singh and Alam Singh of California against Jagdish Tytler for his involvement in the killings of Sikhs in November 1984.
Attorney Pannun stated that the decision of the CBI Court to accept the closure report in Tytler's case will be challenged.
Advocate Rebecca M John, counsel for Badal Singh's widow Lakhwinder Kaur, expressed "disappointment" with the order, alleged CBI "deliberately did not bring out the witnesses in the support of the case." "This is not the final order. We are going to challenge it. Whether in sessions or in the High Court, we will decide later," she said.
Attorney Pannun stated that witness Resham Singh came forward in December 2008 when CBI team was in USA to record the statements of two other witnesses against Jagdish Tytler. This fact was brought to the attention of SP Ratn Sanjay and DSP Kishore, the emergence of Resham Singh, as a witness who had just come forward and whose account of events actually corroborates witness Surinder Singh's statement about Tytler's presence in front of Gurdawara Pulbangash on November 01, 1984. According to Attorney Pannun, despite of his repeated requests to CBI team in USA to record Resham Singh's testimony and despite of having been given ample notice and opportunity, the CBI team deliberately and maliciously choose not to record Resham Singh's testimony during their trip to USA in December 2008.
Attorney Pannun stated documentary evidence is available of his written correspondence with Ratn Sanjay regarding new witness Resham Singh, which clearly establishes the CBI's knowledge of Resham Singh's willingness to give his account about Jagdish Tytler's presence outside Gurdawara Pulbangash on November 01, 1984. Even after the CBI team returned to India, Attorney Pannun wrote emails to CBI officials in charge to take testimony of the additional witnesses before completing the investigation. The CBI instead failed to even mention the presence and surfacing of additional witnesses in its closure report.
QUOTES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO RECOGNIZE NOVEMBER 1984 SIKH GENOCIDE AND RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS:
A question of credibility By: Deepak Manchanda | Tuesday, 27 Apr '10 15:44:57 PM
"When hundreds of people have seen a political leader going round in open jeep exhorting them to kill Sikhs, his exoneration by CBI raises serious questions of credibility"
This was expected By: Anant | Tuesday, 27 Apr '10 15:32:14 PM
"This verdict was expected. City courts, CBI, judges the whole judicial system is as corrupt as it comes"
Disgusting India By: Kulmohan | Tuesday, 27 Apr '10 18:45:32 PM
"Courts will readily accept if the CBI was to say that no riots happened in 1984 as there are no witnesses to prove this. It suits them all ends, after all there are but a handful of Sikhs in India and they are at the mercy of Hindus if they ever have to get justice to 1984 riots."
DAVE
"This is a shame on Indian Judicial system. No wonder people have no respect for Indian Judicial system. It is one of the most corrupted and unmanaged system in world."
Newspaper Coverage:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sikh-group-to-challenge-clean-chit-to-Tytler/articleshow/5867676.cms
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sikh-group-to-challenge-clean-chit-to-tytler/612432/
http://news.outlookindia.com/printitem.aspx?680515
http://m.indiatoday.in/itwapsite/story?sid=95060&secid=114
http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=92649&tp=on
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/28/sikh-group-to-appeal-against-clean-chit-to-tytler.html
http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails280410o.php
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April 22, 2010
COURT DISMISSES SAJJAN KUMAR'S PLEA FOR DOCUMENTS
Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta today dismissed an application by Congress leader Sajjan Kumar seeking documents from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) about November 1984 Sikh massacre.
The Judge stated that all the documents relating to this case have been supplied by the CBI and the other documents are not needed.
Moreover, the CBI counsel offered to give copies of the earlier judgment but refused to give other documents like a copy of action taken report of Justice G.T. Nanavati Commission, set up in 1984 to investigate the massacre and record witnesses' evidence, among others.
The next hearing is on April 27, 2010.
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April 19, 2010
IN APRIL 1992 A CHARGESHEET AGAINST CONGRESS LEADER SAJJAN KUMAR PREPARED BUT NEVER BROUGHT BEFORE A JUDGE
In April 1992 a charge sheet against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a November 1984 Sikh Massacre case citing sufficient evidence to proceed against him was prepared but it was never brought before a judge to seek his prosecution.
Special Public Prosecutor B S Joon stated before Additional Sessions Judge VK Goyal that the charge sheet was prepared in the case FIR number 67/87 in police station Nangloi, naming Sajjan Kumar as accused on April 8, 1992 but it was dumped in the police file and never brought before the court. He further stated that the FIR was clubbed with another massacre case by the police, which the police had no power to do and could only be done by the court.
Senior Advocate, H.S. Phoolka stated that this is a big manipulation from the police's side. The reason that this FIR was not pursued by the police is because Sajjan Kumar is an accused. He further stated that when the police could not remove his name from the chargesheet (FIR 67/87), they completely forgot about it.
The court fixed the matter for further proceedings for May 15, 2010.
Newspaper Coverage:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5826855.cms?prtpage=1
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Chargesheet-against-Sajjan-in-84-riots-case-never-given-to-court/articleshow/5825956.cms
http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?679643
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_charge-sheet-against-sajjan-kumar-in-84-riots-case-never-given-to-court_1372534
http://www.zeenews.com/news619936.html
http://www.littleabout.com/news/92663,missing-chargesheet-sajjan-kumar-presented-court.html
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April 9, 2010
KAMAL NATH - THE GUILTY
On November 1, 1984, presently Union Minister of Roads, Transport & Highways, Kamal Nath led an armed mob of 4000 people that attacked Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi. Several Sikhs were burnt alive by the mob and the Gurudwara Sahib was set on fire. Kamal Nath "controlled the crowd" and killers "looked to him for directions". Under instructions of Kamal Nath, Police men present at the scene instead of preventing the attack, joined the attackers and fired several rounds at the Gurudwara Sikhs burnt alive laid in critical condition in Kamal Nath's presence and died due to lack of Medical Assistance Prominent journalist Sanjay Suri and other individuals testified that Kamal Nath led the mob that attacked the Gurudwara and burnt Sikhs alive Police Commissioner Gautam Kaul verified Kamal Nath's presence while the Gurudwara was attacked and Sikhs were burnt alive Justice Nanavati Commission found Kamal Nath's reply to the allegation "Vague" and "Strange".
"I had noticed that Mr.Kamal Nath was controlling the crowd and the crowd was looking to him for directions", Senior Journalist Sanjay Suri in his statement before Nanavati Commission. "Outside the Gurdwara I saw a crowd of about 4,000 men led by Congress-I leader Kamal Nath... I saw the bodies of two men, both Sikhs, still burning on the roadside", Senior Journalist Sanjay Suri in his affidavit before Mishra Commission. "The unanswered questions about his role in the Rakabganj Gurdwara episode might well hold the key to uncovering the high-level conspiracy behind the 1984 carnage", Senior Advocate, Delhi HC, HS Phoolka & Senior Editor, Manoj Mitta. April 9, 2010 "PROTEST RALLY" AGAINST KAMAL NATH'S US VISIT Hundreds Of Sikhs Gathered in New York Hundreds of Sikhs on Thursday protested a speech by Kamal Nath who led and instigated mob of 4000 that massacred thousands of Sikhs in their country in November 1984.
The Justice Rally was covered by almost American media Newspapers and TV, New York Times, Fox News, NBC, and many more newspapers and TV channels.
Hundreds of SIKHS FOR JUSTICE members, a U.S.-based human rights organization, gathered outside McGraw-Hill's headquarters in Manhattan where Kamal Nath, India's federal minister in charge of road transport and highways and a Congress party member of India's Parliament, was addressing McGraw-Hill Construction's Global Construction Summit. "We want to put him behind bars. Anyone guilty should be behind bars," said Avtar Singh Pannu of Queens, the group's coordinator.
Sikhs For Justice, legal adviser, Gurpatwant S. Pannun, called Kamal Nath "a violator of human rights" who led the mobs that torched Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib and in which many Sikhs were burnt alive, shouldn't be in the U.S. The "November 1984 Sikh Genocide" remain a controversial issue in India. The massacre of Sikhs was sparked by the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was gunned down by her bodyguards who happened to be Sikhs. A government commission set up to investigate the massacre questioned Nath about his presence near a Sikh temple during the period of the riots. Kamal Nath maintained that he was in the area only to help create peace. In its 2005 report, the commission said there was no evidence to suggest that Nath had instigated a mob to violence.
The commission said Nath's testimony was vague but that was probably because he was questioned nearly 20 years afterward. Sikhs for Justice filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court this week against Nath on behalf of the deceased and injured riot victims and their families. Jasbir Singh, 44, and Mohinder Singh, 27, of Hayward, Calif., also are plaintiffs.
Kamal Nath told The Associated Press he had not seen the lawsuit but was "surprised, shocked and appalled because I have never been charged." Asked about claims that he helped instigate the riots, Nath said: "Well, if I had done that I would have been charged by the police, I would have been charged by the courts in India as others have been and I was never charged. I've come to the United States God knows how many times. ... It's never been an issue. This is the first time."
H.S. Phoolka, a lawyer in Delhi who represents victims and who co-wrote a book about the riots called "When A Tree Shook Delhi," said the evidence is clear. "We are saying he should be prosecuted," Phoolka told "The law is not being implemented just because of his influence, because he is a minister."
Sikhs For Justice, legal adviser, Gurpatwant S. Pannun questioned Kamal Nath "If Nath went to disperse crowd that burnt many Sikhs, "WHY NATH DID NOT GIVE AFFIDAVIT TO NANAVATI COMMISSION STATING THAT MOB BURNT SIKHS AND HE (NATH) IS WITNESS TO THIS FACT."
Sikhs For Justice Coordinators Master Mohinder Singh stated that in the years since the massacre, there have been repeated allegations that top members of the Congress party Kamal Nath, Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler, Arun Nehru and others helped organize the mobs that rampaged through Sikh neighborhoods in Delhi and 110 cities throughout India.
At the New York Justice Rally, members of Sikhs For Justice, held up signs that said "Stand for Justice" and "Demanding Justice" and black inner tubes that symbolized the tires that were burned during the riots. "We want to create awareness within ourselves and the international community and embarrass Kamal Nath and the people who invited him here," said Ranjit Singh, former President of Sikh Youth of America.
Jasbir Singh, a truck driver, who is one of the Plaintiff in the case against Kamal Nath said he witnessed 26 of his family members burned alive and saw others cut to pieces on the streets in Delhi. He said killers would kill anyone with a beard and a turban. "Three days, day and night, killings, houses burned, people burned," said Jasbir Singh who came to the U.S. in 2002. "Twenty-five years, I waited for justice."
Mohinder Singh, who is also one of the Plaintiff in the case against Kamal Nath, also a truck driver, was 2 years old at the time of the riots. He said he lost his father, two uncles and his grandfather's brother. He said he was told the mobs killed his father in front of his mother and hacked his relatives to pieces. "He's guilty. The Indian government hasn't given us any justice," Mohinder Singh said.
Yadwinder Singh, President (American Gurudwara Prabandhik Committee) AGPC said the group had never protested a visit before because they wanted to exhaust all possible remedies in India. He said Nath should not be invited to speak in a country that stands for human rights.
Bibi Balbir Kaur, stated that it is twenty five years and none of the individuals who took active part in massacre of Sikhs have been arrested, charged and convicted. She further stated Sikhs For Justice will continue campaign till killers are punished.
All India Sikh Student Federation, President Karnail Singh Peermohammad, stated that AISSF will press demand that Kamal Nath be charged with the murder of Sikhs because he led mobs on November 1, 1984 in which many Sikhs were burnt alive and should be removed as Cabinet Minister as this is black blot on the face of Indian democracy.
THE RALLY was supported by THE GURUDWARA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES
Across the United States and various Sikh organizations including Sikh Youth of America , American Gurdwara Parbandak Committee, SAD (Panch Pardani), SAD(Amritsar), Baba Budha Sahib Society , Shaheed Bhagat Singh Society , Prabh Milne ka Chao, Sant Baba Prem Singh Cultural Society, Panthic Society. Newspaper Coverage:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/529194.aspx
http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=112969§ion_id=2
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/09/sikhs-protest-kamal-naths-presence-in...
http://www.ajitjalandhar.com/20100409/
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April 7, 2010
JAGDISH TYTLER'S CASE: COURT RESERVES ORDER ON CBI'S CLOSURE REPORT AGAINST TYTLER
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Rakesh Pandit, after hearing arguments of CBI and the counsels for Lakhwinder Kaur, a victim of November 1984 Sikh Genocide, said the court would pronounce its order on the matter on April 20, 2010.
SAJJAN KUMAR'S CASE: SAJJAN KUMAR SEEKS MORE DOCUMENTS FROM CBI Next hearing slated for April 14 and April 15, 2010
Newspaper Coverage:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/528381.aspx
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_court-reserves-order-on-cbi-s-closu...
http://www.ptinews.com/news/599847_84-riots--Sajjan-Kumar-seeks-document...
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/sajjan-wants-more-docu...
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April 7, 2010
"SUMMONS ISSUED AGAINST INDIAN MINISTER KAMAL NATH IN UNITED STATES COURT FOR ROLE IN NOVEMBER 1984 SIKH GENOCIDE" KAMAL NATH ORDERED TO RESPOND BY APRIL 28, 2010 IN US COURT NEWSPAPER COVERAGE:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/world/84-riots-Nath-summoned-by-US...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5769889.cms?prtpage=1
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Kamal-Nath-summ...
http://www.indianexpress.com/comments/kamalnathsummonedinantisikhriotsca...
http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100407/804/tnl-nath-summoned-by-us-court-f...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kamal-Nath-summoned-by-US-court...
http://www.freshnews.in/us-court-summoned-kamal-nath-against-1984-anti-s...
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/04/07/anti-sikh-riots-us-court-summons-kama...
http://news.google.com/news/story?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US...
http://www.zeenews.com/news617158.html
http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2010/04/07/1984-sikh-genocide-summons-issued-...
SFJ is holding a Justice Rally against Minister Nath's U.S. visit this Thursday, April 8th from 7A.M. - 10 A.M at 49th Street and 6th Avenue (in front of the McGraw Hill Building) where Kamal Nath will be attending a gathering of the U.S. India Business Council. The rally organized by Sikhs for Justice is being supported by the Gurudwara Management Committees across the United States.
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April 4, 2010
SIKHS FOR JUSTICE PROTESTS KAMAL NATH'S VISIT TO UNITED STATES
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/sikhs-justice-sikhs-protest-kamal-naths... www.cnbc.com/id/36121689
www.uspolitics.einnews.com/article.php?nid=838200
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/prnewswire/2010/03/31/prnewswire201003311611...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20100331/pl_usnw/DC79762;_ylt=AlV2jzeTCO9m
http://humanrights.einnews.com/article.php?nid=57045
http://www.globetrekker.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/news.showItem/newsID/36...
http://www.ibtimes.com/pr/articles/502005/20100331/sikhs-for-justice-sik...
http://intldevelopment.einnews.com/article.php?nid=3386
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/sikhs-for-justice-sikhs,1229537....
http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/sikhs-for-justice-sikhs-protest-kama...
http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/prnewswire/press_releases/nat...
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/prnewswire/press_releases/national/Ne...
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/prnewswire/press_releases/natio...
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/prnewswire/press_releases/nationa...
http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/prnewswire/press_releases/national/...
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/prnewswire/press_releases/national/...
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/prnewswire/press_releases/nationa...
http://losangeles.bizjournals.com/losangeles/prnewswire/press_releases/n...
http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/prnewswire/press_releas...
http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/prnewswire/press_releases/nationa...
http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/prnewswire/press_releases/n...
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/prnewswire/press_releases/nationa...
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April 3, 2010
BAN AND BOYCOTT KAMAL NATH'S ENTRY INTO UNITED STATES
Indian Union Minister Kamal Nath who participated in the killing of Sikhs in November 1984 wherein he led a mob that attacked and set on fire Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib and burnt several Sikhs alive, is visiting United States from April 6, 2010 to April 8, 2010.
We urge you to individually write to your Senator, Congressmen and local councilmen and request them to ban and boycott the entry of this grave violator of Human Rights and killer of Sikhs into US.
Contact your Senators
• Click on the link below http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• Just choose your state; two Senators of your state will appear on the webpage.
• Click on each Senators Web form
• Fill the contact form by entering your information, and use the sample letter in the Message box.
Contact your Congressmen
• Click on the link below http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
• Just enter your state and Zip code, the list of your State Representative will appear on the webpage.
• Click on each Representatives' Web Form (Electronic Correspondence)
• Fill the contact form by entering your information, and use the sample letter in the Message box.
