Delhi Court Convicts Sajjan Kumar for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Murders

A Special Court in Delhi on Wednesday convicted former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for his role in the murder of a father-son duo during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Court found him guilty of instigating a mob that killed S. Jaswant Singh and S. Tarundeep Singh in West Delhi on November 1, 1984.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja pronounced the verdict and scheduled the arguments on sentencing for February 18, 2025.

Key Findings by the Court

• The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Kumar led a violent mob armed with weapons like lathis and sarias.
• The mob carried out large-scale rioting, arson, and looting, resulting in the murders.
• Kumar was convicted as part of the unlawful assembly responsible for the killings.

“Accused Sajjan Kumar, being a member of such unlawful assembly, is guilty of having committed the murder of S. Jaswant Singh and S. Tarundeep Singh,” the Court held.

Charges Against Sajjan Kumar

Kumar was convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:

• Section 302 – Murder
• Section 147 – Rioting
• Section 148 – Rioting with deadly weapons
• Section 149 – Every member of an unlawful assembly guilty of an offence
• Section 308 – Attempt to commit culpable homicide
• Section 323 – Voluntarily causing hurt
• Section 395 – Dacoity

Background of the Case

• The FIR was filed based on a September 9, 1985 affidavit by the complainant, whose identity was kept confidential.
• In 2015, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reinvestigate 1984 riot cases.
• The complainant recorded her statement in November 2016, leading to the framing of charges against Kumar in 2021.
• Kumar was arrested on April 6, 2021, while serving a life sentence in another 1984 riots case.

Next Steps

• Sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
• The court will determine whether Kumar will receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.

This verdict marks another significant conviction in the long-running legal battle for justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.