The Congress leader Sajjan Kumar convicted in 1984 anti-Sikh riots by Delhi High Court, sentenced life-term jail. Sajjan Kumar was earlier acquitted by trial court that was reversed by Delhi HC.
Sajjan Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He has to surrender by 31st December, 2018.
Delhi High Court also extended the life imprisonment of other two convicts from 3 years to 10 years.
Today’s verdict reversed the 2013 trial court judgment which had acquitted Kumar.
While pronouncing the judgment the judge observed, “In the summer of 1947, during partition several people were massacred. 37 years later Delhi was the witness of a similar tragedy. They accused enjoyed political patronage and escaped trial.”
The judgment was pronounced on the appeal challenging the Congress leader’s acquittal. On October 29 the Delhi High Court had reserved the order in the case after the culmination of arguments.
“We welcome the judgement, however we hoped for a death sentence for Sajjan Kumar,” said BJP’s Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
The case pertains to the murder of 5 Sikhs in the Delhi Cantonment area during riots of 1984.
Earlier in 2013, the Karkardooma trial court had acquitted Sajjan Kumar and convicted five others in the case. The appeal in High Court was filed by those convicted in the case, investigative agency CBI and the family of victims.
The trial court had awarded life imprisonment to former Congress councilor Balram Khokhar, retired naval officer Bhagmal and Girdhari Lal. A three- year jail term was awarded to Kishan Khokhar and former MLA Mahender Yadav.
CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor Senior Advocate RS Cheema and Advocates DP Singh and Tarannum Cheema.
The victims were represented by Senior Advocate HS Phoolka.