SC decides to send 186 anti-Sikh riot cases from 1984 to a new SIT

New Delhi, January 11: During long Congress regime, anti-Sikh riot broke out creating an example of one of the worst communal violence in India ever. Now, the victims might get justice as Supreme Court has decided to set up a new special investigation team headed by a retired high court judge to probe the 186 riot cases.

The anti-Sikh riot broke out in 1984 following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Almost 3000 people were massacred during the riot.

The new SIT will be headed by a retired high court judge and there will be two other IPS officers, one retired, one serving. The names are still not disclosed. The team will look into 241 closed cases. As per CBI data, 241 riot cases were closed among 293.

In last year, the top court had asked a supervisory panel consisting two of its former judges, Justices JM Panchal and S Radhakrishnan, and a retired IPS officer, to examine the decision of the former SIT to close these cases. The apex court said the supervisory body, appointed by it has found that out of 241 cases, 186 cases were closed without investigation.

Following the plea of some riot survivors, this decision came. Senior advocate Arvind D Patar argued their case. The central government also did not oppose the decision to give justice to riot victims.