1984 anti-Sikh riots case: Jagdish Tytler urges HC to stay trial proceedings against him

Tytler, in his petition, claimed he was a victim of a "witch-hunt" and contended that the trial court's order framing charges against him was perverse, illegal and lacked application of mind.

"By way of the impugned order, the trial court has erroneously framed charges against the petitioner overlooking the settled principles of law on the point of charge," he said in the petition.

Tytler's counsel has also raised a plea of alibi, claiming that he was not present at the spot at the time of the incident.

The plea was opposed by the CBI's counsel and the victims who submitted that the plea of alibi had already been decided and rejected by the high court.

In his petition, Tytler claimed that there was no credible evidence to corroborate the allegations levelled against him and the trial court's order was "misconceived," had been passed "mechanically" and was liable to be set aside.

He alleged that this was a "classic case of witch-hunt and harassment of the petitioner in which he is now being made to face trial for an alleged offence which was committed more than four decades ago." Tytler said he is 80 years old and suffering from various ailments, including heart disease and diabetes.

He has sought quashing of the August 30 order of the trial court directing framing of charges against him in the case.