CBI, political opponents conspired against me: Sajjan Kumar

Advocate I U Khan, appearing for Sajjan Kumar, argued before District Judge J R Aryan that the investigation in the case, in which five persons were killed during the riots in Delhi Cantonment area after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, was done with a "set and conditioned mind" to frame him in the case.

"The case is the outcome of conspiracy between CBI and Sajjan Kumar's political opponents, that is, the leaders of Akali Dal and other parties opposite to him.

"Their motive was to falsely implicate him in the case," the counsel said during the final arguments of the case.

In the later stage of the final aruguments, the complainant and the CBI will be given a chance by the court to counter the submissions made by Kumar.

He further argued CBI had investigated the case with a conspiracy and pre-set mind of Kumar's opponents that they have to falsely frame him in the case.

Sajjan Kumar is facing trial along with five others -- Balwan Khokkar, Kishan Khokkar, Mahender Yadav, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal--for allegedly inciting a mob against the Sikh community in Delhi Cantonment area here.

Five Sikhs were killed in Delhi Cantonment area during the riots.

The counsel's argument that witness, who belonged to Amritsar, were made to stay in Punjab Bhawan, premises of Punjab government, here in 2000 as and Akali Dal and NDA were in power in the state and at the Centre at that time.

This prompted the court to ask why Kumar was blaming mainly Akali Dal and if that means if anybody would stay at Punjab Bhawan, that will show there is some conspiracy going on there.