New Delhi, Aug 11: Senior Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was indicted by the Nanavati Commission report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, today resigned as chairman of Delhi Rural Development Board. His resignation came a day after Jagdish Tytler stepped down as Union Minister for NRI Affairs.
His resignation came under intense pressure from the Opposition and allied Left parties seeking action against those indicted in the Nanavati report. PM Manmohan Singh had promised yesterday that the government will reopen and re-examine specific cases mentioned in the probe report.
Kumar, who represents the outer Delhi Lok Sabha, tendered resignation to Chief Minsiter Sheila Dikshit, sources said.
The board, which has a corpus fund of Rs 100 crore, was set up last year with Kumar at the helm.
The chairmanship of Rural Development Board is considered as a very crucial post as it covers about 200 villages belonging to Sajjan Kumar’s vote-bank. Hence, quitting this post may affect his status in his constituency.
Sajjan Kumar was among those whose name featured in Nanavati Commission report. The report mentioned that seven FIRs had been lodged against him in connection with the 1984 riots.
The Commission, in its report noted that "there was credible material" against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar that he was "probably involved as alleged by witnesses".
Bureau Report
