NEW DELHI: Following a Delhi court’s verdict sentencing former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, sections of the Sikh community have demanded the death penalty for him.
“We will not settle for anything less than the death sentence. This verdict is disappointing. We will urge the government to escalate the case to a higher court to seek the maximum punishment,” said Gurlad Singh, who led a demonstration outside the Rouse Avenue Court.
Even before the verdict, a large crowd had gathered at the court premises. Kumar was convicted for orchestrating the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the riots.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, while delivering the judgment, acknowledged the brutality of the crime but refrained from imposing the death penalty, citing Kumar’s advanced age and health concerns. Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, General Secretary of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, expressed gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the judiciary for ensuring justice.
“The reopening of the Saraswati Vihar case multiple times gave us hope that justice would prevail. Today, the proceedings were conducted fairly, and those responsible for the killings have finally been punished,” he said.
While he acknowledged that the community had sought the death penalty, he accepted the court’s decision.
Kuljeet Kaur, a survivor of the 1984 riots, recounted her harrowing experience. “We can never erase the memories of how our fathers and brothers were slaughtered before our eyes. Kumar was already serving a life sentence for his role in the Palam case, and this time, we expected him to receive the death penalty,” she said.
Delhi Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa hailed the verdict as another milestone in the pursuit of justice. “The life sentence handed to Sajjan Kumar by the Rouse Avenue Court is a significant step toward holding the perpetrators of the 1984 massacre accountable. This was made possible by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which constituted the SIT to ensure justice,” he said.
Sirsa further emphasised that true justice would only be achieved when every individual responsible for the massacre—allegedly carried out under the Congress party’s watch—is brought before the law. “Our fight for justice continues,” he added.
This conviction marks Kumar’s second life sentence in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was previously sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court for his role in the killings of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar, Palam Colony, and for setting fire to a Gurudwara. His appeal against this conviction is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Two separate appeals challenging his acquittal in other riot-related cases are also pending before the Delhi High Court. Kumar is also facing trials in two other cases before lower courts, including one related to violence near a Gurudwara in Gulab Bagh, Nawada.
Another case, concerning riots in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri, is also under trial.
Case Chronology
1991: FIR registered in connection with the killings in Saraswati Vihar
July 8, 1994: Court finds insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution; Kumar is not named in the chargesheet
February 12, 2015: The govt establishes a SIT to re-examine cases
November 21, 2016: The SIT informs the court that the case requires further investigation
April 6, 2021: Kumar arrested in connection with the case while already serving a life sentence in another case
May 5, 2021: Police file a chargesheet against Kumar
July 26, 2021: Court takes cognizance of the chargesheet and initiates proceedings
October 1, 2021: Court begins hearing arguments on the framing of charges
December 16, 2021: The court formally frames charges against Kumar, including murder, rioting, and other offenses
January 31, 2024: Final arguments commence in court
November 8, 2024: Court reserves its judgment after concluding hearings
February 12, 2025: The court convicts Kumar for his role in the killings
February 25, 2025: Kumar is sentenced to life imprisonment
