1984 Delhi Sikh Genocide - Statements

Statement submitted before the Nanavati Commission

Witness No. 40

Name : Mrs Surinder Kaur

Age : 56 Years

Occupation : House Wife

Address : K-11/B-D, Gali No. 13, .Krishna Park Extension, New Delhi

On SA

I had filed an affidavit before Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission of Inquiry. I am shown the photocopy of the affidavit in Punjabi. Signatures on all the pages are mine. The affidavit is taken on record and marked as Exhibit No.40/1. I further say that apart from 3 or 4 houses of Sikhs, one house of a Hindu tenant was also set on fire. He had gone to the police station and brought 3 or 4 police constables.

The policemen had helped him in extinguishing the fire in his house. I had requested the policemen to extinguish the fire of my house also as my children were inside the house, but the policemen did not help me. On 14.11.84 I had made a complaint to the police.

In my complaint I had named several persons who were in the mob and attacked the house. Some of them were arrested by the police. I along with others were called at the police station to identify the culprits.

I had identified Triveni and others whose names as mentioned in para 3 of my affidavit. While identifying them telephone was received by the police on the basis of which they were let off. As disclosed by the policemen the call was from H.K.L. Bhagat. Mr Shyam Singh Tyagi was a close confident of H.K.L. Bhagat He was a staunch congress worker. About 35 to 36 Sikhs were killed by the mobs.

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

The police had recorded my separate statements in respect of the incidents of 1.11.84 and 2.11.84. I had once gone to the court to give evidence. The evidence was in connection of the murder of my husband. I had seen the persons set up for trail.

All the four persons named in my affidavit had been put up for trail in that case. There were other accused also sent for trail. I had filed the affidavit after about one year. I had got the affidavit prepared through someone. Whatever I have stated is taken down by him. I had told him about the incident of burning of the house of my Hindu neighbour and his having called two policemen for help.

I had also told him that while I was in the process of identifying of the culprits at police station, a telephone call had come. On that basis those culprits were released. He had told me that he had taken down everything. I cannot say why some of the things had been left out. It is not correct to say that what I have stated today is not exaggerated version and not correct.

No Cross examination by K.K. Sud, ASG on behalf of Central Government

Read over and found correct.

(Surinder Kaur) (G.T. Nanavati)

2nd August, 2001

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