The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asserted in the Delhi High Court that eight witnesses have confirmed Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's presence at Gurudwara Pul Bangash during the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, contradicting Tytler's claim of non-involvement.

This statement was made in response to Tytler's petition challenging a trial court order for framing charges against him.

During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor Anupam S. Sharma and Advocate Prakash Airam highlighted discrepancies in Tytler's alibi, particularly regarding a video he submitted to prove he was at Teen Murti House. The CBI argued that, of the 17 minutes of footage, nine minutes remain unaccounted for, leading the trial court to reject the video as evidence.

Moreover, Sharma pointed out that while Tytler claimed to have attended a party, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, when questioned, acknowledged knowing Tytler but denied seeing him on the day of the riots.

Senior Advocate Arvind Nigam, representing Tytler, criticized the trial court's ruling as unjust. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri recorded the CBI's submissions and scheduled the next hearing for November 29, 2024.

Background:
On August 30, the Rouse Avenue Court directed the framing of charges against Tytler for his alleged role in the 1984 riots. The court cited evidence suggesting that Tytler and others formed an unlawful assembly, which resulted in the destruction of the Gurudwara and the deaths of three individuals. Special Judge Rakesh Syal noted that Tytler allegedly incited violence with statements like “maro maro” (hit, hit) and “Pahle maro phir luto” (hit first, steal later).

Initial investigations resulted in a charge sheet against 32 suspects, but subsequent CBI probes found insufficient evidence against Tytler, despite numerous supplementary reports. Witnesses such as Harpal Kaur and Harvinderjit Singh testified about Tytler’s involvement, which was corroborated by other testimonies and forensic evidence. However, the CBI has faced challenges in substantiating these claims, with Tytler's prosecution pending sanction from the Commissioner of Police.

In August 2023, Special Judge Vikas Dhull granted Tytler anticipatory bail due to health concerns, allowing him ten days to review documents provided by the CBI, including the charge sheet. Public Prosecutor Amit Jindal argued that compelling evidence from three eyewitnesses demonstrated that Tytler arrived at the scene in a white Ambassador car on November 1, 1984, and incited the mob to attack the Gurudwara, kill Sikhs, and loot their properties