Surprising accused got security, witness didn't: 1984 Anti-Sikh riots' witness' counsel

The counsel for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, H.S. Phoolka, on Thursday said that it was surprising that the accused had got "50 security guards, while the prime witness has got none."

"It is very surprising that the accused has got fifty security guards while the prime witness does not even have one," Phoolka said.

"This is the case of three murders related to the 1984 riots, which is the largest massacre in the history of the country. And the police are not even providing any security to the prime witness, this is very shocking and so we stand by the demand of Abhishek Verma," he added.

Earlier in the day, the witness in the anti-Sikh Riots case submitted before a Delhi court that he is ready for polygraph test on the condition that he is provided security cover.

Witness Abhishek Verma appeared before the court personally and agreed to undergo polygraph test. However, he said that he has threat perception from the accused in the case, Congress leader Jagdish Tytler and therefore, wants security cover.

Verma has asked for two Protective Service Officers (PSOs), and guards outside his home round the clock.

The court directed him to file in writing the request for security protection.

On June 2, the Delhi Court pronounced its order on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea, seeking permission to conduct a lie-detector test on Tytler.

Earlier, the court had asked arms dealer Abhishek Verma, who is a witness in the case, to explain the conditions for undergoing the polygraph test.

On May 22, Tytler refused to undergo lie-detector test before the court.

Tytler and arms dealer Abhishek Verma were earlier asked by the court to appear in person or file an affidavit stating if they wanted to undergo lie-detector test or not.

Verma's counsel informed the Karkardooma Court that the former was not well and hence, sought more time to appear. The court then fixed June 2 for his personal appearance.

On May 9, the court gave two weeks time to Tytler and Verma to file their contentions and appear before the court about their consent on conduction of lie-detector test and provision of security.

Earlier in April also, Tytler refused to undergo a lie-detector test in connection with the case.

In February, the CBI had sought the court's permission for lie-detector tests on Tytler and Verma.

Tytler is accused of leading a mob in the 1984 Pul Bangash case in which three Sikhs were killed.

The CBI had earlier given a clean chit to Tytler in the case but re-opened the investigation following the December 4, 2015, order in the wake of Verma's allegations.

-ANI