Sajjan Kumar Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Murders

Image credits: Pic credit: PTI

A Delhi court has awarded life imprisonment to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court noted that his old age and illness weighed in favour of a lesser sentence instead of the death penalty. Kumar was convicted of the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. The judge also took note of the psychiatric and psychological evaluation report of the convict, which revealed that he was undergoing treatment in the Departments of Medicine, Urology, and Neurology at Safdarjung Hospital and was prescribed antidepressants and sleep medication.

The case is one of several related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which resulted in the killings of 2,733 people. According to a report by the Nanavati Commission, constituted to probe the violence and its aftermath, 587 FIRs were filed in Delhi in connection with the riots. Of these, about 240 FIRs were closed by the police as "untraced," and 250 cases resulted in acquittals. Kumar, an influential Congress leader and MP at the time, was accused in a case related to the killings of five persons in Delhi's Palam Colony on November 1 and 2, 1984. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court in the case, and his appeal challenging the punishment is pending before the Supreme Court.

The verdict came over 40 years after the riots, and is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims and their families. The judicial process has been long and complex, with many cases still pending. The investigation into the riots and the subsequent trials have been marked by delays and controversies. However, the conviction of Sajjan Kumar is a major milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The sentencing decision takes into account the severity of the crime, as well as the age and health of the convict.

The case has also highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in the judicial process. The fact that it has taken over 40 years for justice to be served in this case is a testament to the complexities and challenges of the Indian justice system. However, the conviction of Sajjan Kumar is a significant step towards closure for the victims and their families, and serves as a reminder of the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.

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