-By Ayush Saroj
Sajjan Kumar, the former Congress MP, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Delhi court issued the sentence on February 25, and Kumar was found guilty of encouraging violence that resulted in several murders during the riots. Although the riots a encouraging violence that resulted in several murders during the riots. Although the decision has been given decades late, victims families have spoken out that despite being delayed , justice has ultimately been delivered
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja pronounced the life term in relation to the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, on November 1,1984. The prosecution as well as Jaswant Singh’s wife had moved the court during the trial to give the death penalty to Kumar. In such heinous crimes, the court also has the powers to give the capital punishment as life imprisonment is the minimum term for murder.
On February 12, Kumar was convicted by the court and then ordered Tihar Central Jail officials to carry out a psychological and mental health evaluation, according to Supreme Court rules for capital case punishment. Kumar is currently being held in Tihar prison.
The Kumar case was established on strong evidence, with the court having established enough grounds for the charges against him as early as December 16, 2021. Prosecution reports indicate that a violent mob wielding lethal weapons looted and set fire to Sikh properties, causing widespread destruction following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Jaswant Singh’s wife, the complainant in the case, deposed that the rioters broke into her house , burnt it down, and brutally murdered her husband and son. The court held that there was sufficient evidence to hold the view that Kumar had a key role in masterminding and taking part in the mob violence.
Kumar had also earlier been allowed bail on medical grounds by the Supreme Court in May 2020. Kumar and co-accused Balwan Khokhar were convicted by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018 and had since been lodged in jail at Tihar Jail.
The Supreme Court has also ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to examine Khokhar’s July 15, 2024, plea for temporary release. Khokhar is serving a life term for his involvement in the riots.
Sikh leaders of the community have vociferously demanded the death penalty in the wake of Kumar’s sentencing , contending that the offense – characterized by brutal violence and targeted killings – is ” rarest of rare” and thus deserving of the highest punishment.
-Ayush Saroj is a 4th year B.A LL.B student at City law college ( university of lucknow)
