Badal demands another investigation for ’84 Sikh massacre; AAP leader HS Phoolka says Badal complicating the issue

New Delhi, India (June 14, 2014) : After several committees/ commissions formed by the Indian state from time of time failed to deliver justice to the victims of November 1984 Sikh massacre, the Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal on Friday (June 13) demanded the setting up of another special committee to investigate the November 1984 Sikh carnage during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The people want to know who was behind it. India should be made clear about it.” said Badal.

On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Supreme Court lawyer, HS Phoolka, has expressed surprise over chief minister Parkash Singh Badal’s demand for setting up a Supreme Court-monitored special investigation team (SIT) to inquire into the cases of 1984 Sikh genocide.

In a statement e-mailed to the media H S Phoolka, also a Supreme court lawyer, has sought to remind Parkash Singh Badal that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is empowered to constitute an SIT to reopen and re-investigate 237 cases related to November 1984 massacre. These cases were closed by the police and were never sent for trial. “But the Home Minister is not empowered to order the monitoring of SIT by the Supreme court of India”, Phoolka pointed out.

“Why is Badal trying to complicate the issue? It appears either the chief minister has not been properly briefed or he is trying to mislead the public”, added Phoolka.

He pointed out that the government is empowered to constitute SIT having officers from outside the Delhi Police force and if that is done it should be sufficient.

Demanding something which is not in the powers of the government amounts to delaying the whole issue, he observed while reminding the CM that the Arvind Kejriwal government had recommended constitution of SIT with officers from outside the Delhi Police force and the Lt Governor of Delhi is now required to issue a notification in this regard.

“As the (Delhi) government has already recommended the constitution of SIT, the union home minister can now immediately get the notification issued without any further delay”, he added.

Pointing out that the BJP had supported the issue of punishment to the guilty of 1984 Sikh massacre while it was in the opposition, Phoolka said that now since the party is in power, it must act and immediately constitute an SIT.

It may be recalled that in November 1984 after the assassination of the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sikhs were subjected to genocidal violence throughout India. Thousands were mercilessly massacre and reduced to ashes by burning alive. About 11 commissions and committees were formed by various Indian governments during last 30 years but nothing helped Sikh victims to get justice.