Sajjan Kumar Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

Delhi's Rouse Avenue court sentences former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, rejecting a death penalty plea. Citing Kumar's age, ailments, and potential for rehabilitation, Judge Kaveri Baweja argued these factors warranted a lesser sentence.

In a landmark decision, Delhi's Rouse Avenue court has sentenced Sajjan Kumar, a former Congress Member of Parliament, to two life terms related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court rejected a plea for the death penalty, with Special Judge Kaveri Baweja ruling that the case did not meet the 'rarest of rare' criteria required for capital punishment.

The verdict considered a report from jail authorities highlighting Kumar's good conduct and severe health issues. Special Judge Baweja pointed out that Kumar's age, his medical ailments, connections to society, and the possibility of his rehabilitation were compelling reasons for a life sentence rather than the death penalty.

The case involved the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. Besides life imprisonment, Kumar received multiple sentences for other offenses such as rioting, attempted culpable homicide, dacoity, and destruction of property, but all penalties will run concurrently. Defense and prosecution have differing plans to either contest the decision or challenge Kumar's medical reports.

(With inputs from agencies.)