 "1984 anti-Sikh riots: Ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar sentenced to life term")
A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, 79, to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of a father and son during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja pronounced the judgment in connection with the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, on November 1, 1984.
The prosecution, along with the complainant, Jaswant’s wife, had sought the death penalty for Kumar. While the offence of murder carries a maximum punishment of the death penalty, the minimum sentence prescribed is life imprisonment.
The court had convicted Kumar on February 12 and had subsequently sought a psychiatric and psychological evaluation report from Tihar Central Jail, following a Supreme Court directive in cases where capital punishment is a possibility. Kumar, who has been behind bars since 2018 in connection with another anti-Sikh riots case in Delhi Cantt, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
The case was initially registered at the Punjabi Bagh Police Station but was later taken over by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). According to the prosecution, a large mob, armed with deadly weapons, carried out widespread looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties in the aftermath of the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The mob allegedly attacked the complainant’s house, killed her husband and son, looted their belongings, and set the house on fire.
Kumar, who had previously served as a Member of Parliament from Outer Delhi, resigned from the Congress party after being convicted in another case related to the riots. During the sentencing, he stated that he was nearly 80 years old and had maintained good conduct while in prison. He also noted that he had never used furlough or any other legal remedy during his incarceration.
Judge considered age, health in verdict
While acknowledging that Kumar's actions were brutal and reprehensible, the judge considered mitigating factors such as his 80 years of age and medical conditions, which influenced the decision to impose life imprisonment rather than the death penalty.
Murder carries a maximum punishment of death, but the minimum is life imprisonment.
The judge highlighted Kumar’s "satisfactory" conduct in prison, his health challenges, his established ties to society, and the potential for his reformation as significant factors favoring life imprisonment. The court also noted that nothing adverse had been reported about Kumar’s behavior, as per the jail authorities.
The judge also imposed a fine of approximately Rs 2.4 lakh on Kumar. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.