SC stays Sajjan Kumar's trial in 1984 riots case

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Supreme Court stayed the trial proceedings against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on Friday, Aug 13.

A bench of Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan also issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation on Kumar's appeal challenging his prosecution.

The Delhi High Court had on Jul 19 dismissed Kumar's petition challenging a trial court's order to frame charges against him in the case.

In the order, Justice Vipin Sanghi questioned the motive of the Delhi Police in cancelling the FIR against Kumar when the matter was still being probed by the CBI.

Justice Sanghi directed the trial court to hold the proceedings against him expeditiously in the anti-Sikh riots cases.

The trial court had in May 2010 framed charges under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to property), 153A (promoting enmity between different communities) and other provisions of the IPC paving the way for trial of Kumar and five others.

Earlier, the court had issued two non-bailable warrants against Kumar, who had surrendered before the court on Mar 10.

The CBI had on Jan 13 charge-sheeted Kumar and others in the two cases accusing them of making provocative speeches, leading to the killing of 12 persons in the riots that followed the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

ANI