‘Why Is Sajjan Kumar Not Hanged Till Death?’ Victims’ Families React To Acquittal in Anti-Sikh Riots Case

As A Delhi court on Thursday acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the families of the victims have demanded a capital punishment for the leader.

Speaking to news agency ANI, am Anti-Sikh riots victim family member said,," I lost 10 members of my family. Why is Sajjan Kumar not hanged till death?.. We will approach the Supreme Court..."

Reiterating that they will approach the apex court, another member of a victim's family said, "We are still seeking justice. We will approach higher authorities for justice... He is a culprit. We will demand capital punishment for Sajjan Kumar."

A victim family member fighting for justice broke down on hearing the verdict and said, "Why are we not getting justice? Why has the court acquitted him? Our 11 people were killed."

The ruling was delivered by the Rouse Avenue Court, which discharged Sajjan Kumar from the charge of murder in connection with incidents of violence reported in the Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas of West Delhi. The case had been pending for several years and reached its conclusion after final arguments were heard last month.

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh had reserved the judgment on December 22, with January 22 fixed for the pronouncement of the order.

The case against Kumar stemmed from two FIRs registered in February 2015 by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following complaints related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. According to the prosecution, the incidents covered under these FIRs resulted in two deaths.

The first FIR pertained to an incident in Janakpuri on November 1, 1984, in which Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh were allegedly killed. The second FIR related to an incident in Vikaspuri on November 2, 1984, where Gurcharan Singh was reportedly set on fire during the violence.

After hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the court concluded that the evidence on record was insufficient to establish Sajjan Kumar's role in the alleged crimes.

However, Sajjan Kumar has denied any involvement in the riots throughout the trial.