The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would constitute a fresh three-member SIT, to be headed by a former high court judge, to monitor probe into the 186 anti-Sikh riot cases, that followed the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984, in which investigations were closed.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra asked the Centre to suggest names on Wednesday itself for its consideration and appointment in the proposed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said the proposed committee would be headed by a former high court judge and consist of one retired and one serving police officer.
It also made it clear that the retired police officer should not be below the rank of DIG at the time of his superannuation.
The apex court said the supervisory body appointed by it had found that out of 241 cases, 186 cases were closed without investigation.
The apex court perused the report of the supervisory body which was submitted before it in a leather box with number lock system.
The Bench posted the matter for a formal order on Thursday after Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand sought a day’s time to suggest the names for the fresh SIT. The Bench also asked senior advocate HS Phoolka to suggest names for the SIT on Thursday.
ANTI-SIKH RIOTS: WILL SUPPORT ANY PROBE, SAYS CONGRESS
After the Supreme Court on Wednesday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe 186 anti-Sikh riots cases closed by an earlier SIT, the Congress party said it will support any probe into the 1984 riots.
"I don't have not full information about the Supreme Court order. But, if there is any order to do an investigation to ensure full inquiry, the Congress will always support it," said Congress spokesperson R.P.N Singh.
"If any torture has been done to the Sikh community, there should be a probe into it and if anyone found guilty, must be punished," he added.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud ordered formation of the new SIT -- comprising a serving Indian Police Service officer and a retired one.
The move came following receipt of a report by a supervisory committee that said of the 241 cases closed by the earlier SIT, 186 were closed without further investigation.
