Life Sentence for Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case
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Synopsis
A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of a father and son during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court's decision follows a conviction on murder charges, highlighting the historical context of violence against the Sikh community.
Key Takeaways
- Sajjan Kumar sentenced to life for 1984 murders.
- Conviction linked to anti-Sikh riots.
- Victims: Jaswant Singh and Tarundeep Singh.
- Case highlights flaws in police investigations.
- Official death toll: 2,700 Sikhs in Delhi.
New Delhi, Feb 25 (NationPress) A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his involvement in the murder of a father-son pair during the anti-Sikh riots on November 1, 1984, in the Saraswati Vihar locality.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja announced the sentencing after convicting Kumar of murder on February 18.
This case pertains to the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in the aforementioned area during the riots.
On January 31, the Rouse Avenue Court had reserved its verdict after considering additional arguments presented by Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat.
In contrast, Advocate Anil Sharma contended that Kumar was not initially named and that there was a significant delay of 16 years before he was identified as a suspect.
It was also mentioned that a previous conviction of Kumar by the Delhi High Court is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court.
In response, Prosecutor Rawat argued that the victim was unaware of Kumar's identity until later, which prompted her to name him in her testimony.
Previously, senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing the riot victims, argued that police investigations into the Sikh riots were manipulated and inefficient, aimed at protecting the accused.
Phoolka emphasized that, given the extraordinary circumstances during the riots, these cases should be handled with that context in mind.
He referenced the Delhi High Court's ruling, stating that this incident was part of a larger massacre rather than an isolated event.
According to official reports, approximately 2,700 Sikhs lost their lives in Delhi during the riots of 1984. Advocate Phoolka highlighted that the Delhi High Court classified the riots as a “crime against humanity”.
The initial FIR was filed at the Punjabi Bagh police station, and the case was later investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) based on recommendations from the Justice G.P. Mathur Committee, which called for the reopening of 114 cases, including this one.
On December 16, 2021, the court charged Sajjan Kumar with several offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 147, 148, 149, 302, 308, 323, 395, 397, 427, 436, and 440.
The SIT claimed that Kumar led the mob that, under his direction, brutally murdered the two victims, set their home ablaze, and caused extensive property damage.
During investigations, witnesses were located and their statements documented under Section 161 of the CrPC.
The complainant's statement was recorded on November 23, 2016, during which she recounted the looting, arson, and the murders of her husband and son by armed assailants. She noted that her sister-in-law later died from injuries sustained during these events.
She also stated that she recognized Kumar from a magazine photograph about a month and a half after the incident.
