The North News
New Delhi, February 18
The prosecution in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case has sought the death penalty for former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, convicted for his involvement in the murders of a father and son in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar area. Following the prosecution’s arguments, the Delhi Court on Tuesday instructed both the prosecution and defense to submit their replies and adjourned the case for arguments on the quantum of sentence on February 21.
Sajjan Kumar, who is already serving a life sentence in another riot-related case, was convicted on February 12 for his involvement in the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984, in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Prosecutors argue that Kumar led the mob that attacked the victims’ home, setting it on fire, looting property, and assaulting family members. The attack also left the victims’ sister-in-law dead from injuries sustained in the violence. Witness testimonies, including one from the complainant who later identified Kumar, helped to secure the conviction.
The case was initially registered at Punjabi Bagh police station before being transferred to a special investigative team formed following recommendations from the Justice G.P. Mathur Committee, which called for the reopening of 114 riot-related cases.
In December 2021, Kumar was charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to murder, arson, and rioting. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, representing the riot victims, had referenced the Delhi High Court’s earlier ruling, calling the 1984 riots “a crime against humanity” and likened it to genocide, citing international law and the Geneva Conventions.
However, Kumar’s defense lawyer challenged the application of international law, noting the absence of his client’s name in earlier investigations and highlighting the 16-year gap before a witness identified him. The lawyer also pointed to the ongoing appeal of Kumar’s conviction in a separate riot case before the Supreme Court.
