In a major development in the probe into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sanjay Suri - a witness of the event, on Sunday has requested to appear before the SIT to record his statement. Suri states in his letter to the SIT, that he is a UK resident and is responding to the SIT's newspaper advertisement on September 9. He has asked the agency to give him a suitable date, time and venue to record the same. The letter was shared by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Sirsa, who has expressed his happiness stating 'justice can be delayed, not avoided'.

1984 riots witnesses apply to appear before SIT

WATCH |Akali Dal says witnesses will testify on Kamal Nath's 1984 riots link

Manjinder Sirsa warns Kamal Nath

Warning Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath of his impending arrest in connection to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sirsa, on Monday has reacted to the development. Sirsa has expressed his happiness at Sanjay Suri's bravery. He added that another witness - Mukhtiyar Singh has also applied to record his statement about Kamal Nath's involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He adds that Nath's time is up. 

In the video shared by himself, he states, " Today Sanjay Suri has decided to appear as an eye-witness case. This case was reopened to probe into Kamal Nath's involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Sanjay Suri has already given witness in the Nanavati Commission that 'kamal Nath was present and was instigating people.' Today, Mukhtiyar Singh is also giving his application to record the statement on what he witnessed. Now Kamal Nath's time is up. He will have to go to jail for his crimes."

WATCH |Akali Dal to brief press about Kamal Nath-link to 1984 riots on Monday

Akali Dal press conference

Earlier on last Monday, Akali Dal had held a press briefing detailing statements by the two witnesses in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Speaking at the press briefing, Akali Dal leader Majinder Singh Sirsa quoted the statement given by Sardar Mukhtiar Singh mentions the name of Kamal Nath in inciting the anti-Sikh violence. Presenting documents and Akali Dal's affidavit on Kamal Nath's involvement in the riots, Sirsa appealed other witnesses to come forward to testify and assured that the Gurudwara Committee will protect them. Two of his primary demands included - Resignation of Kamal Nath from Congress party as well from the post of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and security to both the witnesses so that they can depose without fear.

WATCH: Akali Dal Renews Attack On Congress, Demands Arrest Of Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath For His Alleged Role In 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

Sources report that Akali Dal had previously informed the Home Ministry regarding Kamal Nath's role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The leaders had alleged that Nath had incited violence against the Sikh at that time, as per sources. In response, the Home Ministry had set up a Special Investigation team to investigate into the issue. Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had approached the Centre in the issue.

READ| Akali Dal Demands Return Of Sikh Treasure 'taken Away' By Army During Operation Blue Star

What was Operation Blue Star? 

The 1984 Operation Blue Star was the biggest internal security mission ever undertaken by the Indian Army. The Operation was Indira Gandhi's solution to the law and order situation in Punjab prevalent at that time due to the rise of Khalistan movement in India. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, ordered the military operation to remove Sikh militants who were accumulating weapons in the Harmandir Sahib Complex (Golden Temple) under Operation Blue Star which was carried out between June 1 and June 8, 1984, in Amritsar. The casualties as per the official reports were 83 Indian Army jawans and 492 civilians throughout the whole Operation.