Affidavit submitted before Misra Commission (1987).
I, Sarup Singh S/o S. Gurdial Singh, aged 67 years, R/o U-59, Upadhya Block, Shakarpur, New Delhi, solemnly affirm and declare as under: –
1. I had been a soldier in the Indian National Army and I am also getting pension as a Freedom Fighter.
2. I have been an active worker of the Congress Party throughout. I personally know Shri H.K.L. Bhagat, Central Minister since 1971 and I have been very close to him. I have been serving in his elections as a polling agent as well. During the elections of 1980 for Lok Sabha, I actively worked for Shri H.K.L. Bhagat and acted as a polling agent also.
3. I have been residing in Shakarpur since 1970 and that is why I have personal relations with the local members of the Congress and I know the locals personally also.
4. On 31-10-84 when I came to know of the tragic assassination of our beloved Smt. Indira Gandhi, I felt very sad. I have always been an admirer of Smt. Indira Gandhi. I have been her and her party’s supporters.
5. On 31-10-84 in the evening when I reached my house from Kota House my place of work, I heard loud slogans on the way at some places. On reaching home I took bath, recited evening prayers and thereafter went upstairs on the roof of my house. In front of my house is the house of an eminent Congress (I) leader namely, Shri Sham Singh Tyagi. In front of his house I saw Shri H.K.L. Bhagat, Central Minister, who was standing there with some 4-5 other persons whom I can recognize but I do not know their names. Shri Sham Singh Tyagi was also standing amongst them. On seeing this, I sat by the side of the railing on the roof, and went on seeing them. After sometime Shri Bhagat went into Tyagi’s house with some gentlemen. After some time, Tyagi went out and brought some more people. Kirpal Bhardwaj and Madan were accompanying these persons. There were about ten other persons whom I could not recognize.
6. In the meatime I called my wife and son from the ground floor and told them that some conspiracy was being hatched. On my wife’s suggestion, I went down so that I may not be seen by anybody.
7. At about 10 O’clock loud slogans started coming from Mr. Tyagi’s house. They were shouting “Khoon Ka Badla Khoon” “Sikhon Ko Jalla Do
(Khoon Ka Badla Khoon – Burn the Sikhs). The whole night this thing continued and people were coming and going away in trucks and cars. From adjacent road also, noises and slogans were heard where these people had started to stop buses.
8. On 1-11-84 some people attacked my house. Mostly outsiders were in those rioters. They broke the gate of my house and the glass panes. In the meantime some people of the mohalla came there, which included Shri Om Prakash and Prakash. They stopped them and told them that we were freedom fighters and Congress workers. Do not worry them. On this statement the mob went away.
9. At noon again my house was attacked. I sent my son to my neighbour’s house. I and my wife remained at home. I went out and with folded hands I told the people of the mob that I have been a devotee of Congress (I) and Smt. Indira Gandhi. With that mob Sham Singh Tyagi and Bhoop Singh were standing in the compound of my house. Some more Congress (I) workers were with them. I recognize them but I do not know their names. Sham Singh Tyagi told the mob to burn my goods and the house. Then he himself set my house on fire. Area’s vegetables dealers were also in the mob. Two constables were also accompanying the mob. They both had guns with them. The room which was set on fire by Tyagi himself contained my daughter-in-laws’ dowry. At that time the police did not help me at all.
10. After that another attack was made on my house at night. This time the mob tried to kill me, but to save my life I escaped to my neighbour’s house. After two days when I came back I saw that all the goods had been looted and the house had been completely burnt.