1984 anti-Sikh riots: Forged letters submitted for compensation claims

New Delhi: Unidentified persons allegedly tried to use forged letters in the name of a senior Anti-Riot Cell officer to obtain compensation and other benefits meant for `84 riot victims, police said on Sunday. A case of cheating and forgery has been registered by the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police in this regard after it received a complaint from the Anti-Riot Cell, a senior police official said.

According to the complaint, two letters dated March 22 under the name of DCP (Anti-Riot Cell) Mahesh Bhardwaj were sent to SDM, Rohini and Deputy Commissioner of Police (North- West) clearing 41 names - nine in the first letter and 32 in the second - for rehabilitation and compensation. When ACP Mahipal Singh went to the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) for a meeting regarding rehabilitation and compensation for riot victims, he was handed over the said letters for verification. "During scrutiny of the letters and verification with the dispatch registers of the Anti-Riot Cell, it came to light that no such letters were issued by the Cell. Subsequently, signatures of DCP Bhardwaj on both the letters were also found to be forged," the official said. "The forged letters talked about the cases of victims and mentioned that police have verified their claims," the official said. A written complaint has been filed with the Economic Offences Wing in this regard and investigations are on, he said. PTI