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Delhi

Assembly passes resolution urging spl fast-track courts for all pending cases of 1984 anti-Sikh riots

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Assembly on Friday passed a resolution that the Delhi government would urge the

Centre to form fast-track courts for all the pending cases of 1984 anti Sikh riots. "Special fast-track courts be set-up for quick and time-bound trials in all pending 1984 riots cases since 34 long and painful years have already

elapsed, during which many victims have already passed away and the remaining witnesses are already in advanced stages of their lives," noted the resolution placed by MLA Jarnail Singh.

The resolution further noted that: Taking note of the sentiments expressed by members, this House directs Delhi government to strongly convey in writing to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that justice continues to elude

the families and near-dear ones of the victims of the worst genocide in the history of

India's national Capital. "Further, this House directs the Delhi government to impress upon the MHA that it should take all important and necessary steps to specifically include crimes against humanity and genocide in India's domestic criminal laws, as recommended by the High Court of Delhi in its recent landmark judgment sentencing Sajjan Kumar and other convicts to life imprisonment," noted the resolution.

According to the resolution, any further delay

will only erode the credibility of the investigating agencies and the justice delivery mechanism in the eyes of the common man. "This House resolves that the Delhi government should continue to fight of ensuring justice for the 1984 genocide victims families," the resolution noted.

Senior Congress leader

Sajjan Kumar was convicted by the Delhi High Court and

sentenced to life in jail in the killing of five members of a family in Raj Nagar and the torching of a gurdwara in the capital on November 1, 1984. Kumar was the parliamentarian of that area at the time. After he was found guilty, Kumar wrote to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi saying that he is quitting the party.

At least 3,000 people were killed when mobs led by Congress leaders targeted Sikhs after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31.

On Thursday, Kumar

also appeared before a lower court in a separate case over the killing of a man in Delhi's Sultanpuri. The court has adjourned the hearing to January 22.

Meanwhile, an MLA

of AAP raised a demand on Delhi Assembly urging the Centre to withdraw the

Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, from former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. "Lines about Late Rajiv Gandhi were not part of resolution placed before the house and distributed to the members. One MLA in his handwriting proposed an addition/amendment about Late Rajiv Gandhi. Amendments cannot be passed in this manner," tweeted AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj claiming that no such resolution has been passed by the assembly so far.

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