1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Statements

Statement submitted before the Nanavati Commission

Witness No. 116

Name : Pritpal Singh

Age : 24 Years

Occupation : Business

Address : 125, Bhagwan Nagar, Ashram, Delhi

On SA

I had earlier filed an affidavit before Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission of Inquiry. A copy of it is shown to me; it bears my signature. The contents therein are correct. I have nothing more to say then what is stated in my affidavit.

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

The affidavit was prepared on the basis of what I have stated to the person who was preparing it. I read the affidavit and thereafter signed it. While my father was beaten, about 10 - 15 policemen had come in a Matador van. Stones were thrown at my father and he was given some danda blows also. As he had not received any serious injuries he was not taken to any hospital. Near my house other Sardars were also living.

Some other Sardars were also attacked by the mob. We were staying in Bhagwan Nagar, two years prior to 1.11.84. There was one inspector in the van and there were some policemen with him. I was at that time in the Gurdwara and my father was alone in the house. On seeing my father being beaten I tried to go near that place but I was prevented by the Inspector from doing so. The police had done nothing to save my father.

I had remained in the Gurdwara and I was watching the whole thing from the Gurdwara. The Gurdwara is about 200 meters away from my house. My house and the Gurdwara are on the same road and in the same line. After my father was beaten he was sent inside the house by the police. Thereafter my father had remained inside our house. When my father was being beaten by the crowd.

I had not seen it personally but I was told by my brother-in-law who had gone to rescue him and he had also received injuries while doing so. My brother-in-law had informed me about it on the same day. I was aware of the fact that my father was being beaten inside our house and my brother-in-law had told me about it while I had signed the affidavit. I had not referred that fact in the affidavit as I had only replied to the questions that were put to me.

We had lodged a complaint to the police about the incident. I do not remember that on the basis of the complaint, FIR 62/93 was registered. [Mr Gandhi states that earlier on the basis of the information given by the police, FIR 369/84 was registered in respect of the offence which had taken place near the house of the witness and other houses in the locality at Srinivaspuri Police Station]. My statement was recorded in that case registered at Badarpur PS [FIR 284/84].

The police has recorded my statement in 1993 on the basis of my complaint. I had informed the police all that had happened and which was within my knowledge. My father had gone inside of our house on his own. He was not taken inside by the police. It is true that I had not seen what had actually happened near our house and what had happened outside my house. But after the police had asked us to go inside the Gurdwara, I had again come out and had seen part of the incident.

Moreover I was told by my father about what had happened. My father died about 6 years back. My father had not filed any complaint as I has looking after those aspects. In 1984 I was about 20 years old. It is false that the police had rescued my father and had taken him inside our house. According to me, the police had remained there as silent spectator. About 15 to 20 Sikhs were in the Gurdwara.

Many persons including those who were injured had subsequently come to Gurdwara. My father had also subsequently come to Gurdwara. It is not true that he was brought by the police to the Gurdwara. It is not correct to say that we had taken shelter in the neighbour's house as we had taken shelter in the Gurdwara. It is not correct that thereafter those people had taken us to Gurdwara. If it is so stated in my previous affidavit than it is not correct.

Read over and found correct.

(Prithpal Singh) (G.T. Nanavati)

3rd December, 2001

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