Sajjan's acquittal in 1984 riots case evokes sharp reaction

Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's acquittal in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case by a court here today drew sharp reactions from the families of the victims a nd political leaders who termed it as a "black day".
One of the riots victims, who had lost her son, husband and other family members during the carnage that had broke out 29 years ago on October 31, 1984, after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, said "There is no justice for us.
"My son was killed, my husband along with his brothers were killed. There was reign of terror for three days (during the riots). People were burnt alive."

Expressing shock and anguish at acquittal of Kumar, Shiromani Akali Dal Chief and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal attacked the Congress saying it would not be allowed to put a lid on the issue.
Stating that the verdict had dashed hopes of people who waited for nearly three decades for justice, he expressed hope that the Supreme Court would take cognisance of the plight of the families of 3000 Sikh victims and order reinvestigation as done in the case of Jagdish Tytler.
Member of Parliament Naresh Gujral said that the case has not reached its logical conclusion due to shoddy probe by the investigators.

"We are absolutely shocked and disappointed with the judgement. We were hoping that justice would finally be given to the victims of the 1984 carnage but unfortunately, due to the shoddy police investigation, the case has not reached at its logical conclusion," Gujral said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP also said, the "Congress party has been trying to put a lid on this matter since 1984 so I am not surprised at all."
"30-years have passed. We shall pursue it relentlessly till justice is given. We shall not give up," he said.
The court today acquitted Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case while convicting five others for being a part of the mob that killed five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar area.

District and Sessions Judge J R Aryan acquitted Kumar while convicting five others -- Balwan Khokkar, an ex-councillor, Mahender Yadav, an ex-MLA, Kishan Khokkar, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal -- for their involvement in the case.