The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to report status on the probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots being conducted by the Special Investigation Team. The order came in a fresh PIl that sought court-monitored probe as enormous delay in trial was leaving victims with no hope of justice.
Posting the matter after two weeks, the bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand to file a status report on the probe. lawyers appearing for PIl petitioner Gurlad Singh Kahlon said that during the 31-year wait, many witnesses have died and victims need a swift probe to ensure some solace for victims who are still alive.
The petitioner who is also a member of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee sought completion of investigation in six months and periodic status reports to be filed before the Court that can be monitored till charge sheets are filed in the case.
The petition has made the SIT chairman and Delhi Police Commissioner as respondents besides Centre and Delhi government. The SIT was formed on February 12, 2015 to re-investigate the 1984 riot cases and has even got a one-year extension recently.