Sikh students' body hails Delhi HC verdict in 1984 riots case

The eastern chapter of All India Sikh Students Union (AISSF) on Monday hailed the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a case related to 1984 anti-Sikh riots and sought his immediate arrest.

Kumar (73) has been awarded life term by the Delhi high court for conspiracy to commit murder.

The riots, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed in several parts of the country, broke out after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

Bokaro in Jharkhand (then undivided Bihar) was among the areas, apart from Delhi, where the Sikhs were massacred in large numbers.

"We welcome the Delhi High Court verdict on Kumar and demand his immediate arrest. The Congress leader should not be given any time for surrender," Satnam Singh Gambhir , the AISSF president (eastern region), said.

He also demanded similar punishment for "other culprits who were involved in the genocide".

Appreciating the Union government for constituting a special investigation team (SIT) to look into anti-Sikh riots case, Gambhir said the probe was completed in record time.

"The SIT completed its probe within three years of its formation as the team members had taken up their task very seriously," he said.

The AISSF leader, who had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Jharkhand High Court in 2013 leading to formation of a one-member commission, demanded a similar SIT for probe into Sikh killings in the state.

"No progress has been made by the commission of Justice (Retd) D P Singh since its formation in 2015. The commission hasn't spoken to any victim in Jharkhand," he claimed.