NEW DELHI: Eight more cases relating to 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi will be probed by a Home Ministry appointed Special Investigation Team, taking the total number of such cases being re-investigated to 58.
The Central government's decision comes ahead of the crucial Punjab Assembly polls where the Shiromoni Akali Dal-BJP combine is facing a battle after 10 years of rule.
Earlier, on July 30, the Home Ministry had handed over 22 cases for re-investigation by the SIT. On August 23, another 28 cases were given for re-probe by the SIT.
"All individuals, group of person, associations, institutions and organisations, who are acquainted with the facts of these cases are invited to give evidence/ depose about the same so as to facilitate further investigation," a Home Ministry notification said.
The SIT was set up by the Home Ministry to re-investigate appropriately serious criminal cases filed in the National Capital Territory of Delhi relating to 1984 riots.
There were around 650 cases registered in connection with anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.
A total of 3,325 people were killed in the 1984 riots in which Delhi alone accounted for 2,733 deaths, while the rest occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states.
Delhi Police had closed 241 cases citing lack of evidence. Justice Nanavati Commission had recommended reopening of only four of them but BJP wanted re-investigation of all the cases.
The CBI had reopened and re-investigated only four cases. In two of them, the probe agency had filed a charge sheet and in one, five persons, including a former MLA, were convicted.
The SIT was set up on February 12, 2015 following a recommendation by the Home Ministry-appointed Justice (retd) G P Mathur committee.
The three-member SIT comprises two Inspector General-rank IPS officers and a judicial officer.
On December 10, 2014, the Narendra Modi government had announced an additional compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of each of those killed in the 1984 riots, triggered by
the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
In May, the Home Ministry had announced that 1,020 families, which had been hit by the riots and migrated to Punjab from different parts of the country, would be given Rs
two lakh each as part of a centrally-sponsored rehabilitation scheme.
Assembly elections in Punjab are due early next year and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots often becomes a political issue in the state.