New Delhi: Taking a U-turn from its earlier stand, the CBI has sent a two-member team to the United States to record statements of Jasbir Singh, a key witness to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, who had alleged an active role of former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler in instigating the rioters.
Singh, who is based in California, has filed several affidavits against Tytler, a Congress leader, before various Commissions, saying he was willing to testify before the court provided he and his family's safety was guaranteed.
The CBI team will also record the statement of another witness, Jasbinder Singh, who is settled in New York, in connection with the case.
"We have sent a team to the US to record the statement of two persons. They do not want to come to India...," CBI Director Ashwini Kumar told reporters.
CBI's move to visit the United States marks U-turn from its earlier position demanding the presence of Singh and other witnesses in India. The agency, which had on September 29, 2007 filed an affidavit in a court here seeking closure of case against Tytler on the plea that Singh was untraceable, was directed by the court to submit the address of Singh, declared as a crucial witness.
CBI had earlier this year issued notices to Singh under Section 160 of the CrPC, which empowers the probe agency to seek presence of a witness.
Singh through his lawyers pleaded before Delhi High Court to quash the notice for his presence issued by the agency expressing apprehension that there is danger to his life in case he visits India for recording of his testimony.
