Long wait for justice has ended: Ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar convicted in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case
Sajjan Kumar, already serving a life sentence for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has been convicted again, this time for the killing of a father-son duo in Saraswati Vihar, further highlighting the slow but ongoing pursuit of justice in the case.
Delhi: Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots murder case, intensifying his legal woes amid renewed scrutiny over the tragic event.
Kumar found guilty
In a significant development, former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving the brutal killing of a father-son duo in Saraswati Vihar. The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court found Kumar guilty of his involvement in the targeted violence that occurred on November 1,1984, amidst the aftermath of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Justice has finally prevailed!
— Jagdip Singh Kahlon (@jagdipskahlon) February 12, 2025
Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in SC Case No. 3/21 (FIR No. 458/91, PS Saraswati Vihar) for his role in 1984 #SikhGenocide
Grateful to @narendramodi ji & @AmitShah ji for delivering long-awaited #Justice to the victims. pic.twitter.com/8fHkCpbGLt
A Long legal battle for justice
This verdict adds to Kumar’s already complex legal situation, as he is currently serving a life sentence for another case related to the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi Cantt. The case, which was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saw the presentation of compelling evidence leading to Kumar’s conviction. However, the road to justice for victims of the 1984 riots has been far from smooth, with numerous cases still pending and many earlier acquittals yet to be challenged.
Supreme court questions Delhi police's efforts
Amid renewed focus on the anti-Sikh riots, the Supreme Court raised serious concerns regarding the Delhi Police's failure to challenge several acquittals in riot cases. During a hearing on Monday, Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan criticized the police for not pursuing the appeals with the required seriousness, describing the process as more of a formality than a genuine attempt at justice. The court’s strong words come at a time when legal action is beginning to gain momentum in long-standing riot cases.
Efforts to reopen riot cases
The case against Sajjan Kumar is part of a broader investigation into the violence that erupted across India in 1984, which led to the deaths of thousands of Sikhs. The pursuit of justice in these cases was reinvigorated following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kahlon, a former Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member. The Supreme Court’s intervention in 2018 led to the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to reopen 199 riot cases that had previously been closed without any action.
A long wait for justice
According to the Nanavati Commission report, over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in Delhi alone, and hundreds of cases have either been closed or ended in acquittals, frustrating the victims' families and the broader Sikh community. Despite these challenges, the CBI’s recent filing of a chargesheet against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler for his role in inciting the mob that killed three Sikhs at Pul Bangash Gurdwara in Azad Market has reignited hope for justice.
As more legal proceedings continue, the families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain hopeful that justice will eventually be served, even if it is delayed by decades.
