Today, On 25th February, Before Sajjan Kumar’s sentencing in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, some Sikh community members have demanded the death penalty for him. They argue that the crime, involving murder and large-scale violence, qualifies as a ‘rarest of the rare’ case. According to them, he deserves the maximum punishment under the law.
New Delhi: Some members of the Sikh community demanded the death penalty for former MP Sajjan Kumar ahead of a verdict by a special court in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The special judge is expected to announce the sentence for Kumar concerning the alleged killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar on November 1, 1984.
Gurlad Singh, who led the protest outside the court, stated,
“Four decades have passed, and it is the judiciary’s phrase that justice delayed is justice denied. We demand only the death penalty for Sajjan Kumar.”
He emphasized that the crime falls under the “rarest of the rare” category, labeling the 1984 riots as a “pre-planned genocide.”
Singh expressed that the Sikh community continues to mourn their lost loved ones and hopes that the sentencing will provide some closure and justice for the victims and their families. On February 12, the court convicted Kumar and requested a report from Tihar Central Jail authorities regarding his psychiatric and psychological evaluation, following a Supreme Court directive for such reports in capital punishment cases.
The minimum punishment for murder is life imprisonment, while the maximum is death. Although the Punjabi Bagh Police Station initially 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. The prosecution alleged that a large mob, armed with deadly weapons, engaged in extensive looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties in retaliation for the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The anti-Sikh riots followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards. The High Court also confirmed the convictions and varying sentences for retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal, and former MLAs Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar, who were involved in a conspiracy to attack Sikh families and a gurdwara during the riots.
The mob reportedly attacked the home of the complainant, Jaswant’s wife, resulting in the deaths of her husband and son while also looting and burning their house.
The court’s order found enough evidence to establish a “prima facie opinion” that Kumar was not only a participant but had also led the mob.
The case first investigated by Punjabi Bagh police but was later handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for further inquiry. On December 16, 2021, the court framed charges against Kumar, saying there was “prima facie” evidence that he not only took part in the attack but also led the mob.
Previously, in May 2020, the Supreme Court had denied Sajjan Kumar interim bail or parole on health grounds. Both Kumar and Khokhar are currently incarcerated in Tihar jail following their convictions by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018.
On July 15, 2024, the Supreme Court had requested a response from the CBI regarding Balwan Khokhar’s plea for furlough, who is also serving life imprisonment in connection with the riots.
Case Title: Sajjan Kumar v. State; Balwan Khokhar v. Central Bureau of Investigation [Crl.A. No. 1642/2018 & Crl.A. No. 1665-1666/2019]