Anti-Sikh Riots: Court Rejects Death Penalty Demand; 2nd Life Term For Sajjan Kumar

Delhi: Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was on Tuesday sentenced to life in connection with the murder of a father-son duo during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja pronounced the judgment for the alleged killing of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984, in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar.

This is the second life sentence for Kumar, who is already serving time for his involvement in the Delhi Cantonment riots case. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail.

Old age & Satisfactory conduct

Last week, the public prosecutor sought death penalty for the former MP, arguing that his actions amounted to “mass genocide” of a particular community, while citing Nirbhaya case and similar rulings.

The court, however, rejected the prosecution’s demand, citing Kumar’s old age and “satisfactory conduct”. “Convict is about 80 years old and suffering from hypertension, lumbar Spondylitis, left side DNS, IMSC left eye, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy), recurrent Dyselectrolytemia with Hyponatremia, Parkinson’s diseases, Syncopal dizziness, Weight loss etc,” News18 reported, quoting her.

“His wife aged 75 years is also reported to be bed ridden on account of illness.”

The Judge further noted that Kumar was already serving a life sentence in another case related to the riots. “The helplessness of the victims and the lack of any support whatsoever from the neighbours and also the police has also been established from their uncontroverted depositions. In these circumstances, I am of the considered opinion that this is a fit case where the convict must also be awarded life imprisonment for the offence punishable under Section 436 IPC r/w Section 149 IPC in addition to fine,” the court added, while noting the severity of the allegations against him.

Apart from life imprisonment, Kumar has been sentenced to two years under Section 147 for rioting, three years and a fine under Section 148 for rioting with deadly weapons, and seven years under Section 308 for attempting culpable homicide with intent to cause death or serious harm, the India Today reported.

The twin murders

Kumar faced charges related to leading a violent mob that engaged in large-scale looting, arson and destruction of properties of Sikhs to avenge the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The mob attacked the house of the complainant, who was Jaswant’s wife, and killed the men. They also assaulted the complainant, her daughter and niece as they attempted to shield them before looting articles and setting their house ablaze, the prosecution claimed.

Though Punjabi Bagh Police Station registered the case, a special investigation team later took over the investigation.

On December 16, 2021, the court framed charges against Kumar, finding a “prima facie” case against him.

On February 12, the court convicted Kumar for the offence and sought a report from Tihar Central Jail on his psychiatric and psychological evaluation in view of a Supreme Court order asking for such a report in cases attracting capital punishment.