1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Affidavits

Affidavit submitted before the Nanavati Commission

I, Gurcharan Singh, S/o Late S. Jagat Singh, aged 55 yrs., R/o 12/51, Subhash Nagar, New Delhi-110018, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:-

1. That I was staying at 3256, Amrit Building, Bahadurgarh Road, Sadar Bazaar, Delhi-6, since 1956, along with my three brothers, 2 sisters in laws and 2 children age 2 years. Our was a joint family with one kitchen.

2. That I was having a cosmetic shop in Sadar Bazaar at 5/3, Main Sadar Bazaar, Delhi-6, which I now also have, but now I am doing hosiery business.

3. That on 31st Oct.'84, I heard while at my shop at 1st Nov. that Mrs. Indira Gandhi has been killed. The shops were being closed. I also closed my shop and returned home at 4 pm

4. That I had two Non-Sikh tenents- they informed me at 6 pm that Sikh shops / houses are being looted. So we should leave our house and save our lives else where. My tenents did not keep any of my valuable with them for safe custody for fear that their house may not be looted.

5. That I along with all members of my family left our house at about 7 pmon 31st Oct. and went to my sisters house, situated inside Bara Hindu Rao, which is a predominately Muslim area.

6. That Muslims stood at the entrance of Bara Hindu Rao and did not allow the mob to enter Bara to harm Sikhs houses and persons.

7. That on 1st Nov.'84, at about 10 am from the terrace of my sister's house. I saw big mob coming to attack Gurdwara Pul Bangash. A sewadar with a open sword came out and was able to push the crowd back, to a great distance.

8. That little later at about 10:30 am, I saw 2 policemen, escorting the crowd. The policemen were shouting, let me see who is obstructing you from burning the Gurdwara. Then the mob, threw burning tyres inside the Gurdwara in the presence rather on instigation of the Policemen.

9. That later I learnt that one Sikh was burnt alive by putting burning tyre in his neck in front of Gurdwara while 2 policemen were watching and another Sikh was dragged on a thela to the gate of Gurdwara and then burnt alive.

10. That we stayed at our sister's house till 15th Nov.'84.

11. That on 1st Nov. I received an information that my house and shop has been completely looted but not burnt.

12. That on 4th Nov. I went to my shop and house and found that both were completely looted. My brother was married a couple of months earlier and his entire new dowry was inside the house which was completely looted.

13. That on 5th Nov.'84, I lodged an FIR with the Police Station, Bara Hindu Rao. (copy attached)

14. That I suffered a total loss 10 lakhs both for shop and house.

15. That I received a compensation of Rs.20,000/- for loss of household goods.

16. That I received a compensation of Rs.60,000/- for the loss of shop.

 

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