Sajjan Kumar Receives Life Imprisonment in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case

A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Despite appeals, Kumar remains jailed, with the prosecution seeking his maximum punishment for the heinous crimes.

In a significant legal development, a Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Presiding over the case, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja handed down the judgement for the murders of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. A detailed verdict is still awaited.

The court had previously convicted Kumar of murder on February 12, and in compliance with a Supreme Court directive, a psychiatric evaluation was conducted due to the crime's severity.

The murder charges carry a maximum penalty of death, though Kumar was given life imprisonment. The prosecution, along with the victim's wife, had demanded the harshest available sentence.

Kumar, a prominent Congress figure during the riots, currently remains in Tihar Jail. Despite initial investigations by the Punjabi Bagh police, a specially formed investigation team later assumed control of the case.

The court's sentencing followed charges framed against Kumar on December 16, 2021, showing that the evidence pointed to his leadership role in inciting the mob that led to the murders and destruction of Sikh properties.

Based on findings from the Nanavati Commission, 587 FIRs were registered, with the Delhi riots resulting in the deaths of 2,733 individuals. From these, only 28 cases, including Kumar's, led to convictions.

Kumar faces pending appeals in both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, challenging his previous acquittal and current life sentence.

(With inputs from agencies.)