1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Statements

Statement submitted before the Nanavati Commission

Witness No. 122

Name : Brig. A.S. Brar

Age :

Occupation : VRC Retired

Address : 664 Urban Estate – Phase-I, Jalandhar, Punjab

On SA

I had earlier sent my affidavit dated 16th October, 2000 to this Commission. I had sent it by post.

(Note : Same was not received by the Commission. Therefore, the witness is giving fresh affidavit duly signed by him today. (The affidavit is taken on record and treated as part of his examination-in-chief).

In addition to what I have stated in my affidavit, as per the statement the number of troops under me in October – November, 1984 was about 3000 including the trainees. I cannot give break-up of my troops today particularly as regards how many trainees were there. Approximately about 1200 persons were the trainees. There were some pensioners also who had come to get their records complete before they proceed on pension and were staying with the regiments for about 10 – 15 days for that purpose.

Apart from these trainees & persons about to retire, there was administrative staff, instruction staff and other personnel connected with the regimental centre. The persons who are under training could be utilized during emergency for patrolling purposes, for showing strength and such other minor purposes. They are ordinarily not permitted to use firearms the centre, at that time, had 30 – 40 different types of vehicles.

Soon after I had come out of Safdarjung Enclave, two or three respectable persons including one who identified himself as an ex-Chief Secretary of Assam had told me that no policeman had come in that area so far and that it was necessary that some persons from the army should be posted there to avoid any trouble. While we are talking like that, one vehicle with two SPs and one Dy.S.P. had come there and I had enquired from the police officers why no policeman was sent there earlier.

They promised to make necessary arrangements there and thereafter I had left that place. The troops which I had posted for the purpose of patrolling the areas mentioned in my affidavit did not carry ammunition though they carried arms. No duties for controlling the riots was assigned to my centre. We were assigned only ceremonial duty on the day of cremation of Mrs Indira Ghandi and that was at Teen Murti House. When transported from Delhi, I was posted as Brig. General Staff.

Cross examination by S.S. Gandhi, Senior Advocate on behalf of Delhi Police

I had not moved on 31st October, 1984 to see if the riots had broken out in Delhi but I was receiving telephone calls from the persons residing in different areas and therefore, I had stated in my affidavit that full scale riots have broken out in Delhi on 31.10.84 itself. I had no personal knowledge about it.

Cross Examination deferred by Ashok Kashyap, Advocate on behalf of Central Government

Read over and found correct.

(A.S. Brar) (G.T. Nanavati)

10th December, 2001

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