A Delhi court on Tuesday handed down a life imprisonment sentence to former Congress Member of Parliament, Sajjan Kumar, in connection with a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This latest ruling adds to Kumar’s legal troubles as he is already serving a life sentence in another case related to the same riots.
Currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail, Kumar was previously convicted by the Delhi High Court in 2018 for his involvement in the killing of five Sikhs in Palam Colony during the 1984 riots. His latest conviction stems from an incident that took place on November 1, 1984, in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar, where he was accused of leading a violent mob that burned alive Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, while also ransacking and setting fire to their residence.
The court, while pronouncing the verdict, observed that Kumar’s actions were undeniably “brutal and reprehensible.” However, taking into account certain mitigating circumstances, including his advanced age of 80 years, prevailing health conditions, and satisfactory conduct during his incarceration, the court decided against imposing the death penalty.
In her sentencing order, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court stated, “From the evidence on record, it has been clearly established that the victims in this case not only witnessed the horrifying and brutal killings of their family members at the hands of the rioting mob, which included the convict, but also suffered the complete destruction and looting of their home. The helplessness of the victims was further compounded by the absence of any assistance from their neighbors or law enforcement authorities, which has been corroborated by their unchallenged testimonies. Given the gravity of the offences committed, I am of the firm opinion that this is an appropriate case where the convict must be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
Alongside the charge of murder, Kumar was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime of arson, both of which were tied to his role as a member of an unlawful assembly. Additionally, he was convicted of other serious charges, including attempting to commit culpable homicide, voluntarily causing hurt, dacoity, rioting, and rioting while armed with a deadly weapon. The court also imposed a fine of more than Rs 2.4 lakh on him. However, all the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Kumar will serve them at the same time.
The First Information Report (FIR) in this particular case was formally registered in 1991, based on an affidavit that was initially submitted on September 9, 1985, by the complainant—the wife and mother of the victims—before the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission. The commission was established in 1985 to investigate the large-scale and organized violence that erupted in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Representing the complainant in court were senior advocate H S Phoolka, along with advocates Kamna Vohra and Gurbaksh Singh.
Meanwhile, Kumar’s legal representatives, including Anil Kumar Sharma, Anuj Sharma, and Apoorav Sharma, have indicated that they are likely to challenge the sentencing by filing an appeal in a higher court.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat, had sought the death penalty for Kumar, arguing that an act of this nature severely disrupts the social fabric, breaking the trust and harmony among different communities. They asserted that such crimes should be met with the harshest punishment to serve as a deterrent against communal violence. The court had found Kumar guilty on February 12, following a thorough examination of evidence and witness testimonies.
In addition, the Tihar Jail authorities submitted a report detailing Kumar’s medical condition and conduct while in prison. Taking this into account, the court remarked, “The ‘satisfactory’ behavior of the convict, as per the report provided by the jail authorities, along with his reported medical ailments, his deep societal ties, and the potential for his rehabilitation and reformation, are significant factors that have influenced the decision to impose a life sentence instead of the death penalty.”
This latest ruling against Sajjan Kumar marks yet another step in the judicial process seeking accountability for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which saw widespread violence, killings, and destruction of property in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. The case highlights the decades-long pursuit of justice by the victims’ families and the legal battles that continue to hold those responsible accountable.
