1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Statements

Statement submitted before the Nanavati Commission

Witness No. 168

Name : Jaipal Singh

Age :

Occupation : Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sub Division Daryaganj.

Address :

On SA

In October, 1984 I was posted as SHO, Police Station Mehrauli. On 31.10.1984, I was informed by DCP, South through Control Room to proceed to AIIMS. I reached AIIMS sometime in the Noon. I remained there till about 9.00 pm As there was message on wireless set that I should go back to my area, I had been to my police station. Messages were also received to the effect that we should remain alert in our area. No untoward incident had taken place within the area of my police station on 31.10.84.

On 1.11.1984, at about 8.00 am, I had received a message that there was some tension in Village Chattarpur so I had gone there. Tension had arisen because of the dispute between one Shyam Lal and one Sardar Banta Singh. Shyam Lal had lodged a complaint against Banta Singh that he had distributed sweets on 31.10.1984 after hearing about the death of Mrs Indira Gandhi.

It turned out that Banta Singh had organized a 'LANGER' on account of the death of his mother. In view of the tension, I had brought Banta Singh to the police station for his safety. At about 10'O Clock I had received a message that there is some tension at Dairy Chowk Mahipal Pur. The police officer in charge of the police post was present with his force. One Sikh family was staying in Mahipalpur and for their safety I posted two Constables at their house.

Then I received a message that a mob had gathered at Taxela farm near Village Ghitorni. The farm belonged to a Sardar. There was a mob of about 1500 persons. It appeared that the mob had set the property of Sardar on fire. Therefore, a cane charge was resorted to and the mob was dispersed. I had also fired three shots for that purpose. I had also send message for sending fire brigade and more force but neither of them was available. Sometime in the afternoon there was again a message from Mahipalpur.

When I reached there, I was informed that some Sikhs had taken shelter in one Pandit's house. When I went inside the house I found dead bodies of two Sikhs and three more Sikhs were injured. I had taken the injured to the hospital in my vehicle. I had also registered an offence of murder. I had received messages and pursuant to those messages I had visited those places and taken appropriate steps. All the incidents which had happened within the jurisdiction of my police station are stated in the report at pages 1 to 6 in file (Ex.No.W108/73).

In the evening I had received a message that an incident had taken place at Chatwal Farm in Village Samalkha. When I went there Additional DCP (South) was present and Chatwal and his friends were also present. Myself, Additional DCP(South) and Chatwal's friend requested him to move to a safer place but he refused. As there was tension, we therefore, posted one ASI and two Constables armed with rifles for his security.

At around 9.00 pm late in the evening I had received a message that there was a fire in Chatwal Farm. I, therefore, rushed to that place and found that the poultry farm was put on fire and all th e 5 members of the Chatwal family were killed. I also learned that ASI had resorted to firing but was not able to control the mob. FIR 413/84 was registered in respect of that incident. The accused in the case were subsequently arrested and a challan was filed.

In the afternoon, I had received a message that there was some trouble near the Gurdwara at Andheria Mode. When I went there I found that Gurdwara was set on fire. I had come to know that riotous mob had set the Gurdwara on fire. About 25 children were trapped in the Gurdwara. I rescued them and took them to a safer place.

On 2.11.1984 Onkar Farm, Rajokri village was attacked by the mob. I rushed to that place. There was a mob of about 50 to 60 persons. They had damaged the property by setting it on fire in the farm. Out of them 14 persons were arrested by me on the spot. My staff and the farm labourers had extinguished the fire. Additional DCP (South) had also visited that place. There was no other major incident on 2.11.1984 or thereafter.

In reply to the question No.7 of the questionnaire, it is stated that case FIR No.402/84 was registered on 31.10.84. It is clarified that incident was not related to Anti – Sikh Riots.

I had made some preventive arrests on 1.11.1984 and subsequently also. The details thereof are contained on 37 of file (Ex. W108/73). It also contains details of the property recovered by the police. I remained SHO of that police station till November, 1985. In most of the cases investigation was completed by that time and charge sheets were filed.

[Cross examination deferred]

Read over and found correct.

(Jaipal Singh) (G.T. Nanavati)

20th February, 2002

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