The former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar has been cleared of charges of his alleged links with riot incitement during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 by a Delhi court on Thursday. This ruling is expected to be viewed as a blow to the families of survivors, who have been pursuing justice for over four decades now. On Thursday, Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh announced the order that acquitted Sajjan Kumar of grave allegations of rioting and promoting communal violence in west Delhi. However, the detailed judgment is yet to be released.
What was the case against Sajjan Kumar
In November 1984, after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it was alleged that Kumar instigated a crowd; this resulted in violence against members of the Sikh community in western Delhi. In 2023, charges of rioting and fostering enmity between two communities were framed against Kumar; he was then discharged of accusations of murder and criminal conspiracy.
Two separate FIRs were registered against Kumar by a Special Investigation Team in February 2015. One of the FIRs was related to the murder of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, residents of Janakpuri, on November 1, 1984. The second FIR was related to the murder of Gurcharan Singh, a resident of Vikaspuri, who was allegedly set ablaze.
The latest judgment gives relief in these two cases, but his status of life imprisonment remains unaltered. In February 2025, the trial court had ordered his imprisonment in two different murder cases involving the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, residents of Saraswati Vihar.
Victims vow to appeal
The victims’ family members were left devastated by the judgment. Family members have demanded capital punishment for Kumar. Many family members said that their pain cannot be comforted by any legal reasoning. Immediately after the verdict was announced, victims’ family members outside the court broke down.
A woman who had lost 10 members of her family started crying inconsolably. She said, “I lost 10 members of my family. Why is Sajjan Kumar not hanged till death? We will approach the Supreme Court.”
Another family member of a victim said, “Why are we not getting justice? Why has the court acquitted him? 11 people were killed.”
Most of the families of victims demanded capital punishment: “We are still seeking justice. We will approach higher authorities for justice. He is a culprit. We will demand capital punishment for Sajjan Kumar.”
