Anti-Sikh riots 1984: Verdict in Sajjan Kumar murder case on December 16

Congress leader Sajjan Kumar leaves the Patiala House of Representatives court after his acquittal in the 1984 New Delhi riots. | Photo credit: PTI

A Delhi court was expected to announce its verdict on December 16 in a murder case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar related to anti-Sikh riots in 1984.

The case concerns the alleged killing of two people in Saraswati Vihar area during the anti-Sikh riots.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja, who was supposed to issue the order on Friday (November 29, 2024), postponed the announcement on the grounds that the judgment was not yet ready.

The court reserved the verdict after hearing final arguments in the case relating to the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984.

Although the Punjabi Bagh police station initially registered the case, a special investigation team later took over the investigation.

On December 16, 2021, the court framed charges against Mr. Kumar and found that there was a “prima facie” case against him.

According to prosecutors, a huge mob armed with deadly weapons resorted to large-scale looting, arson and destruction of Sikh property to avenge the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The mob attacked the house of the complainant, Jaswants’ wife, killed her husband and son, looted items and set her house on fire, the prosecution said.

When Mr. Kumar was tried, the court found sufficient material to form the opinion “prima facie” that he was not only a participant but also led the mob.