The Delhi unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) sharply reacted to the anticipatory bail granted to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, saying that they will appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court order.

The party alleged that the CBI was not serious about arresting Kumar and other accused in the riots cases.

A party statement issued by party state unit president Manjit Singh Greater Kailash said, ‘The other day, a Delhi court slammed the CBI for not being serious in arresting Sajjan Kumar and other accused and asked its Director to personally supervise the process after issuing fresh non-bailable warrants against them.’ ‘So far as ground work is concerned, the CBI does not seem to be serious enough to arrest the accused. The CBI wants to complete only paper work. These are all stereotype reports, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Lokesh Kumar Sharma said when the premier agency said it tried its best to arrest the 64-year-old politician and others in the case,’ the statement said.

‘The court, however, was not satisfied by the CBI’s contention and issued fresh NBWs against the accused while giving directions to the CBI,’ it said.

The statement said the CBI’s delaying tactics have driven the High Court to grant bail to Kumar and this judgement was like rubbing salt to the wounds of the victims of '84 Sikh pogrom.

UNI