A Delhi court sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar for murders committed during the anti-Sikh riots in 1984. The Congress leader is already serving a life sentence in another case related to the riots.
#WATCH | Members of the Sikh Community protest outside Rouse Avenue Court, demanding a death penalty for 1984 Anti-Sikh riots accused Sajjan Kumar.
— ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2025
Sajjan Kumar has been convicted for the killing of father-son duo in Saraswati Vihar area during anti Sikh riots. The Rouse Avenue… pic.twitter.com/CSWnVcddvL
Pronouncing the verdict, the special court observed life imprisonment was the minimum punishment for murder and the death penalty was the maximum. Special court judge Kaveri Baweja sentenced Sajjan Kumar for murdering Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the anti-Sikh riots in November, 1984. The special court held the offences committed by the former MP were “brutal” and “reprehensible”.
Pronouncing the verdict, the judge said, “There are certain mitigating factors which, in my opinion, weigh in favour of imposing a lesser sentence, instead of the death penalty. The 'satisfactory' conduct of the convict as per the report of the Jail authorities, the ailments from which he is reportedly suffering, the fact that the convict has roots in the society and the possibility of his reformation and rehabilitation are material considerations which, in my opinion, tilt the scales in favour of sentence for life imprisonment instead of death penalty,” Bar and Bench reported. The court convicted Kumar in the case on February 12 and had sought details regarding his health from Tihar jail authorities as per Supreme Court guidelines.
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Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was arrested in the case in April 2021 based on an inquiry conducted based on the victim’s wife’s complaint. According to the prosecution, Kumar led a violent mob during the riots in the aftermath of the death of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and instigated them to violence. According to the complainant, the mob looted their house and set it ablaze to avenge the death of the former prime minister.
