Centre’s reply sought on convict’s plea challenging SIT legality

THE SIT IS PROBING 60-ODD CASES RELATED TO THE RIOTS, WHILE IT HAS FILED ‘UNTRACED REPORT’ IN 52 CASES

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has sought the Centre’s response on a plea by one of the convicts in 1984 anti-sikh riots challenging the legality of the home ministry’s order for setting up a special investigation team (SIT) to re-probe the cases.

A bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and IS Mehta issued notice to the Union government through the secretary of ministry of home affairs and listed the matter for further hearing on September 30.

The legality of the SIT has been challenged by convict Yashpal Singh, who was sentenced to death penalty by a trial court in a 1984 anti-sikh riot case, which was reopened by the SIT. In his plea, he claimed that the executive cannot order re-investigation and it can only be done by the court’s direction.

The court, in its order, said: “In view of the challenge mounted on behalf of Yashpal to the legality and validity of the order dated February 12, 2015, issued by the ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, it is considered proper and necessary to issue notice to the Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.” Central Government Standing Counsel Akshay Makhija appeared for the government and sought time to obtain instructions on the issue.

The court directed the registry to provide a copy of the death sentence reference paper book to him forthwith.