California's Lieutenant-Governor Cruz M Bustamante honoured senior lawyer H S Phoolka with an achievement award and a state commendation for his role in the justice struggle for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

At a weekend event organised by the California Sikh Council at Los Angles, the Lt-Governor handed over the Sikh Heritage and Achievement Award to Phoolka.

The Lt-Governor also presented him with a state commendation certificate for human rights advocacy.

At the function, Senator Barbara Boxer awarded a certificate of appreciation to Phoolka for outstanding services, a press statement said in New Delhi.

Phoolka has been the main counsel for the victims before the Mishra and Nanavati commissions that investigated the anti-Sikh bloodshed in and around Delhi following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.