A Delhi court is likely deliver on January 8 next year its verdict in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who was scheduled to pass the order on Monday, deferred the pronouncement. “January 8 is the next date,” the judge said.
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New Delhi: A Delhi court is set to deliver its verdict on January 8, 2024, in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who was originally scheduled to announce the judgment on Monday, deferred the pronouncement.
“January 8 is the next date,”
-the judge confirmed during the hearing.
Sajjan Kumar, currently lodged in Tihar central jail, participated in the proceedings through video conference.
The case pertains to the alleged killings of two individuals, Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, in the Saraswati Vihar area during the anti-Sikh riots that erupted in the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Timeline and Key Details of the Case
Initially, the case was registered by the Punjabi Bagh police station. Later, the investigation was handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for detailed scrutiny. After completing the investigation, the court framed charges against Sajjan Kumar on December 16, 2021, citing sufficient evidence to build a case against him.
The court found a “prima facie” case against Kumar, asserting his involvement in the violent events.
“Putting Kumar on trial, the court order found sufficient material to form a ‘prima facie opinion that he was not only a participant, but had also led the mob,'”
-the earlier judgment noted.
Prosecution’s Allegations
According to the prosecution, on November 1, 1984, a massive mob armed with deadly weapons engaged in widespread looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties. The violence was allegedly an act of retribution for the assassination of Indira Gandhi.
The mob reportedly attacked the house of the complainant, Jaswant Singh’s wife, killing Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, looting their belongings, and setting the house on fire.
The prosecution maintained that Sajjan Kumar was a key instigator in the violence. Their evidence and testimonies suggested that Kumar played a leadership role during the attacks.
Background of the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted in Delhi and other parts of India following the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. The riots led to the deaths of thousands of Sikhs, with Delhi witnessing the most intense violence.
The case against Sajjan Kumar is one of the many being prosecuted as part of ongoing efforts to bring justice to the victims of these tragic events.
The upcoming judgment on January 8, 2024, will be crucial in determining Kumar’s accountability in the Saraswati Vihar killings.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
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