Sajjan Kumar Convicted in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Murder Case, Delhi Court Delivers Verdict

A Delhicourt has convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with the murder of a father-son duo during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, February 12, holding him responsible for the killings that took place in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja announced the conviction, setting February 18 as the date for sentencing arguments. The case involves the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, who were victims of the large-scale violence that erupted in Delhi after the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Case Background and Legal Developments

The trial was based on fresh evidence brought forward by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which had been set up on the recommendation of the Justice G.P. Mathur Committee. Initially, the case was registered at the Punjabi Bagh police station, but it remained inactive for years. The SIT later revived the case as part of its effort to provide justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On December 16, 2021, the court framed multiple charges against Sajjan Kumar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including those related to rioting, murder, arson, and looting. The prosecution alleged that Kumar had led a violent mob, inciting them to kill Sikhs and destroy their homes.

Arguments Presented by the Prosecution and Defense

Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat presented strong arguments against Sajjan Kumar, stating that the accused had incited the mob, leading to the gruesome murders. The prosecution also highlighted the delayed identification of Kumar by witnesses, explaining that the victim’s family members were initially unaware of his identity.

On the other hand, Sajjan Kumar’s defense team, led by Advocate Anil Sharma, argued that there was an unexplained delay of 16 years in naming him as an accused. The defense also pointed out that another case, in which Kumar was previously convicted by the Delhi High Court, is still under appeal before the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate H.S. Phoolka Highlights Justice Delayed

Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing the riot victims, emphasized that police investigations in the 1984 Sikh riots cases were deliberately manipulated to protect the accused. He pointed out that official records show over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in Delhi alone. Phoolka also cited a previous Delhi High Court judgment, which called the 1984 riots a "crime against humanity."

He further argued that such cases must be viewed in the context of the extraordinary circumstances of that time, where mob violence was widespread, and justice was delayed for decades.

Eyewitness Testimonies and SIT Findings

During the investigation, key witnesses came forward with crucial statements. The complainant, whose husband and son were murdered, narrated the horrifying events of looting, arson, and brutal attacks carried out by an armed mob. She recalled that she had recognized Sajjan Kumar’s face in a magazine a month and a half after the riots.

The SIT submitted that under Kumar’s leadership, the mob looted and destroyed properties while setting houses on fire. Witnesses also reported severe injuries inflicted on family members of the victims, with some later succumbing to their wounds.