Court finds former MP guilty in Saraswati Vihar killings; sentencing on February 18
The Rouse Avenue Court convicted ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, linked to the killing of a father-son duo in Delhi.
A Delhi court on Wednesday convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar of murder in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, declaring him part of an unlawful assembly responsible for the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who pronounced the verdict, said that Kumar, having instigated and led the mob, could face the death penalty or a minimum of life imprisonment.
In a detailed judgment, the court emphasised that the mob, armed with iron rods and lathis, carried out large-scale violence and looting on November 1, 1984, in retaliation for the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. While finding Kumar guilty, the court underscored that his membership in the unlawful assembly made him culpable for the murders.
“The complainant, who witnessed the brutal killing of her husband and son, cannot be expected to forget the face of the person instigating the mob,” Judge Baweja noted, referring to the primary witness’s testimony. The court also rejected arguments that her identification of Kumar was delayed, pointing out she was new to the area at the time of the incident and recognised him only after seeing his photograph in a magazine a few months later.
Kumar was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 147 (rioting), 302 (murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy a house), among others. The court concluded that the prosecution had brought “home the guilt” by proving Kumar’s active role in leading and instigating the mob, which ultimately resulted in the killings.
Rejecting the defense’s contention that the complainant’s testimony was unreliable, Judge Baweja termed her version “truthful, reliable and worthy of credit,” noting she had good reason not to trust law enforcement after receiving no help from police during the attack.
The court further explained that the mob’s violence — and the surrounding community’s reluctance to intervene — made it unlikely that other witnesses would step forward to corroborate her account.
Arguments on sentencing are scheduled for February 18. Kumar, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, was produced in court for the pronouncement of the verdict.
( Source : PTI )
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