Tytler seeks clarification from home ministry over 1984 riots

jagdish-tytler-p-chidambramNew Delhi, Dec 14 : Upset over reference to his name in Home Minister P. Chidambaram's remarks during the calling attention motion on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Rajya Sabha, Congress leader Jagdish Tytler has sought a clarification from the home ministry.

Tytler, who is incharge of Bihar at the All India Congress Committee office, said that the Central Bureau of Investigation had accepted for closure the case re-investigated against him.

"Please, I have already suffered for so many years. I would be happy if this clarification could be sought from the minister or home secretary before you write against me," Tytler said in a press release.

In his remarks during the discussion in the upper house, Chidambaram said that the CBI was assigned the job to reinvestigate cases against Dharam Pal Shastri, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.

"The CBI has completed investigation of seven cases registered against four political leaders. In four cases, the CBI has sought permission under section 196 of Cr. P. C. from the competent authority to prosecute the accused persons and in one case closure report has been filed and accepted by the court," he said, adding the process of locating and witnessing was continuing in one case and charge sheet has been filed in the court in another case.

Tytler, who was denied Congress ticket in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, said: "There was one case against me which was being re-investigated and that has been accepted by CBI for closure. The minister has not named me."

Tytler has faced protests from Sikh groups over his alleged involvement in the 1984 riots. He was denied party ticket after a Sikh journalist hurled a shoe at Chidambaram alleging government inaction in the riot cases. The episode led to the party denying tickets to Tytler and another party leader Sajjan Kumar from two constituencies in Delhi.

However, Tytler was subsequently given an AICC assignment.(IANS)