The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s history, triggered by the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. In the aftermath, violent mobs targeted Sikh communities across the country, resulting in thousands of deaths and large-scale destruction. Over the decades, legal proceedings have sought to bring justice to the victims of these riots. One of the most high-profile figures implicated in these cases is former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, who has now been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Verdict and Charges
A Delhi court has sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who ruled that Kumar was involved in orchestrating mob violence, which led to widespread looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh-owned properties.
The prosecution argued that Kumar incited a mob to attack the victims’ residence, resulting in their brutal murders and the burning of their home. Jaswant Singh’s wife, the complainant in the case, demanded the harshest punishment possible— the death penalty— citing Kumar’s actions as an act of “mass genocide” against the Sikh community.
Why Kumar Escaped the Death Penalty
Under Indian law, murder is punishable by either life imprisonment or the death penalty, with capital punishment reserved for the “rarest of rare” cases. Although the prosecution pushed for the death penalty, the court considered Kumar’s advanced age— he is nearly 80 years old— and his reportedly good conduct in jail since his conviction in 2018 as mitigating factors.
Kumar is already serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail after being convicted by the Delhi High Court in a separate 1984 riots case, which involved the murder of five Sikhs in the Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment.
Reactions and Consequences
The verdict has reignited emotions among the Sikh community, with many demanding stricter punishments for Kumar. Outside the court premises, protestors led by Sikh activist Gurlad Singh expressed their disappointment, chanting slogans and insisting that justice delayed is justice denied. “Four decades have passed, and we demand only the death penalty for Sajjan Kumar,” said Singh.
The judgment against Kumar is a significant step in the long fight for justice for the 1984 riot victims. However, many believe that the judicial process has been too slow, with key perpetrators escaping accountability for decades. The ruling also serves as a reminder of the political and communal ramifications of the riots, and it highlights the importance of ensuring timely justice in such grave cases.
As Kumar begins serving his second life sentence, the verdict underscores the judiciary’s role in addressing historical injustices. For the victims and their families, while this ruling offers some measure of justice, the demand for harsher penalties continues to resonate within the Sikh community and beyond.
(With inputs from agencies)
