NEW DELHI: Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who was awarded life term in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, turned himself in at a city court on Monday was promptly put behind bars.Kumar surrendered in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Aditi Garg after which he was taken into custody and sent to Mandoli jail in the national capital. The court has also ordered that a separate van be provided for his movement due to security reasons.
His surrender came in compliance with an order by the Delhi High Court, which ordered him jailed for the “remainder of his natural life” on December 17. Kumar came to the courtroom surrounde by 2-3 commandos along with 20-25 Delhi Police personnel, including women, a police officer said.He had Z-category security for the last two decades due to the threat perception to his life, as he was also facing prosecution in other cases arising out of the 1984 riots.
The High Court had declined his plea for extension of time to surrender between December 31 and January 31. Along with Kumar, former MLAs Kishan Khokhar and Mahender Yadav, who were also convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the riots case, surrendered in the court as well.
Kumar was convicted for inciting a mob that killed Kehar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Raghuvender Singh, Narender Pal Singh and Kuldeep Singh in the Raj Nagar area of Delhi cantonment. The five victims belonged to one family.
Outside the court complex, a group of Sikhs gathered raising slogans and showing the victory sign after Kumar surrendered.Kumar, who quit as a Congress member in the wake of the high court verdict, has moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction and sentencing.The 1984 riots took place in the wake of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh bodyguards.
In its judgment, the high court had noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital during the 1984 riots, which was “carnage of unbelievable proportions”.The high court set aside the trial court’s 2010 verdict acquitting Kumar in the case.
“Kumar’s conviction and surrender will give new hope to the victims’ family and boost their fight to put Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath behind bars,” BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, reacting to the development.With agency inputs
BJP hits out at Cong, AAP calls it a historic day for Sikhs
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), yet again, hit out at the Congress following the surrender of ’84 riots accused Sajjan Kumar on Monday, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called it a historic day for the Sikh community. Delhi BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa, “The Gandhi family tried hard to save Sajjan Kumar, but the law finally caught up with him. AAP MLA Jarnail Singh said, “We hope the sentence would serve as a deterrent against the politics of hatred, violence and riots. Rogue political leaders and parties would think a hundred times before unleashing violence on defenceless people.”
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
On Monday, former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar surrendered before a court for undergoing life term for the “remainder of his life” awarded by the Delhi High Court.
Oct 31, 1984
The then PM Indira Gandhi shot dead by her two Sikh body guards at her residence
Nov 1-2
Mob kills five Sikhs at Raj Nagar area in Delhi Cantonment
May, 2000
Girish Thakorlal Nanavati Commission set up to probe riots-related cases
Dec 2002
Sessions court acquits Sajjan Kumar in one of the cases
Oct 24, 2005
CBI registers another case on recommendation of GT Nanavati Commission
Feb 1, 2010
Trial court summons Kumar, Balwan Khokkar, Mahender Yadav, Captain Bagmal, Girdhari Lal, Krishan Khokkar, late Maha Singh and Santosh Rani
Dec 17
HC convicts and sentences Kumar for life. It also upholds life term of Khokhar, Bhagmal and Lal
Dec 20
Kumar moves HC seeking time till Jan 30 to surrender.
Dec 21
HC dismisses Kumar’s plea.
Dec 22
Kumar moves SC against his conviction
Dec 31
Kumar surrenders before Delhi court