NEW DELHI: Slamming the Centre for its decision to constitute a committee to probe whether an SIT was required to investigate 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Aam Aadmi Party today questioned the motive when AAP government had already taken a decision to do so.
Addressing a news conference, senior lawyer and AAP leader H S Poolkha said for all these days while in opposition, the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal were demanding constitution of an SIT, but now it has set up a probe to see whether an SIT is required in the matter.
"There are 237 cases which had been closed and that required further reinvestigation. Kejriwal, while in power, had ordered to form an SIT, but the Centre has still not named any officer to probe the matter.
"It is also surprising that the government has asked the committee to look into the disbursement of compensation package of Rs 5 lakh. When the list of those entitled for compensation is already available, then what is the need to probe this?" Poolkha said
He also said that the CBI was yet to file a chargesheet since last 30 years in a case in which Jagdish Tyler was involved.
"A case involving murder of four people, in which Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was involved...the police is yet to file a chargesheet even when the ACP and SHO signed the FIR and completed the investigation in April 1992," he added.
Ahead of Delhi Assembly polls, the government today set up a committee to examine the possibility of constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for reinvestigation of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases.
The move assumes significance as 2,733 victims of the total 3,325 victims of anti-Sikh riots belonged to the national capital.
The Committee, headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (retired) G P Mathur, will submit its report within three months, a Home Ministry official said.
The committee will also oversee the implementation of the payment of enhanced compensation of Rs five lakh per person killed during the riots, as approved by the Union Cabinet on December 10, 2014.