NRI , witness of I984 riots, filed the petition through his son in response of investigating agency's notice to give his statement in India

New Delhi, Jan 12, 2008
Surinder Singh

Our senior representative confirmed that San Francisco-California based NRI Jasbir Singh who is witness of I984 riots filed the petition on Friday, through his son, 19, in response of the notice of investigating agency asking Jasbir Singh to come to the country and give his statement in the matter.

On January 02, The CBI had issued notice to Jasbir Singh to his residence in New Delhi, under section 160 of the CrPC, which empowers the probe agency to seek presence of a witness.

Jasbir Singh said the CBI, allegedly with the aim to help the accused, was insisting on his presence in India for recording of statement. According to the the petition, "If the CBI is really serious and interested in investigating the case and recording the statement of the witness petitioner, then it should have moved under section 166A (1)(which allows non-resident Indian to testify in foreign courts on the request of probe agency) and not under section 160 of the CrPC."

The petition, filed by his counsel Navkiran Singh and Sharat Kapoor, is likely to come up for hearing on January 14. Jasbir Singh submitted that till the decision on his petition, the proceedings in the trial court be stayed and the CBI be restrained from closing the probe in the case.