Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 25: A trial court on Tuesday sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984.
The sentencing came amid intense protests by members of the Sikh community, who gathered outside the court demanding the death penalty for Kumar. Calling the 1984 riots one of the "darkest and most shameful" episodes in India's history, the protesters emphasized the need for justice and accountability. The riots had erupted following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, leading to widespread violence against Sikhs across the country.
The Rouse Avenue Court had reserved its verdict on January 31 after hearing additional arguments from Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat. On February 12, the court convicted Sajjan Kumar for his role in the killings. During the trial, Kumar's defense, led by advocate Anil Sharma, argued that his name had not been mentioned in the case for 16 years and that there was an undue delay in identifying him as an accused. The defense also pointed out that another case, in which Kumar was convicted by the Delhi High Court, is still pending appeal before the Supreme Court.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja had scheduled the arguments on sentencing for February 18 before announcing the life imprisonment verdict.
The ruling has reignited political tensions, with the BJP repeatedly demanding Kumar’s expulsion from the Congress and accusing the party of being "anti-Sikh" for failing to take decisive action against him. BJP leader and minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also wrote to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, urging him to remove Kumar from the party. Sirsa further called on Gandhi to issue a public apology to the Sikh community and the nation for the Congress' alleged role in protecting individuals accused of orchestrating the violence.
With the verdict now delivered, the case marks another significant step in the long and contentious legal battle for justice in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.