New Delhi (National Times): A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The verdict was pronounced by the Rouse Avenue Court in a case related to the murder of a father-son duo in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984.
Kumar was convicted on February 12 under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including murder, rioting, and unlawful assembly. The case is part of the long-standing legal battle to bring justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which erupted after the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.
The prosecution argued that Kumar played a central role in inciting mob violence against the Sikh community. His conviction and sentencing mark another crucial development in holding those responsible for the 1984 communal violence accountable.
This is not the first time Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in a riot-related case. In 2018, he was handed a life sentence by the Delhi High Court for his involvement in another 1984 riots case. However, he had been out on bail in the current matter.
The ruling has been welcomed by victims and activists who have been demanding justice for decades. Meanwhile, legal experts believe Kumar may challenge the verdict in a higher court. Further developments in the case are awaited.
