1984 riots witnesses depose before CBI, rule not returning

Dharam Shourie

New York, Dec 29 (PTI) Two key witnesses in the 1984
anti-Sikh riots have again ruled out returning to India to
depose before the courts, but their testimony has been
recorded by a visiting two member Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) team in the US.

The CBI team, which recorded the statements of Jasbir
Singh and Jasbinder Singh over a period of seven days failed
to persuade them to appear before an Indian court, despite
guaranteeing their safety, sources said.

The investigators left for India after hearing the two
witnesses, who have alleged that former Union Minister Jagdish
Tytler played a role in instigating rioters.

The issue of giving testimony by video link too cropped
up but both Jasbir and Jasbinder dithered when asked whether
they would be prepared to go to the Indian consulates for the
purpose, sources said.

About 50 known pro-Khalistan protesters held a
demonstration when Jasbir Singh's statement was being recorded
in San Francisco.

A similar demonstration was organised before the Indian
consulate in New York during the recording of statement by
Jasbinder Singh.

The sources said it is important for the witnesses to
give their testimony before the court as the statements given
to CBI do not carry the same weight as one given before a
judicial body.

Details of the testimonies were not available but the
source said the statements are unlikely to have any major
disclosure.

The CBI team was sent to the US after California-based
Jasbir Singh repeatedly refused to appear before the Indian
courts citing threat to his life and family.

CBI's move to visit the US marks a U-turn from its
earlier position demanding the presence of Singh and other
witnesses in India.

The agency, which had on September 29, 2007 filed an
affidavit in a court here seeking closure of case against
Tytler on the plea that Singh was untraceable, was directed by
the court to submit the address of Singh, declared as a
crucial witness. PTI DS
AM