Sunday, October 16 2005 12:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Centre is likely to reopen anti-Sikh riot cases against three local Congress leaders who have been indicted in 'varying degrees' by the Nanavati Commission and entrust the probe into their role with the CBI.

There is a strong possibility of certain cases registered after the November 1984 riots being reopened with Law Ministry of the view that the cases could be re-investigated, informed sources said here today (Oct 16, 2005).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking in Parliament on August 10, had apologised to the Sikh community and to the nation for the 1984 violence saying he bowed his head in shame that such a thing took place.

He had also promised that the Government would reopen cases against those whose names figured in the Nanavati Commission report in which an adverse inference had been drawn about their conduct or behaviour.

"Our Government stands committed to do all that we can humanly do to go to the root of the problem, that all those individuals about whom the Commission has drawn adverse inferences, suggestions and recommendations, we will have a relook at them," he had said.

As part of the Prime Minister's commitment, the Union Home Ministry went into the Nanavati Commission's report which had drawn certain adverse inferences against some Congress leaders and sought the Law Ministry's view on the issue. The Commission's report was tabled in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.