1984 riots: Ex-Congress leader Sajjan Kumar acquitted in Sultanpuri case
What's the story
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Wednesday acquitted former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others in a case related to the alleged killing of three Sikhs in Sultanpuri during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. On the other hand, the case related to former Congress MP Jagdish Tytler, charged with murder and instigating violence during the riots, has been listed for hearing from October 13.
Twitter Post
Salt on our wounds: Victim's kin
#WATCH | Delhi: On the acquittal of Congress Leader Sajjan Kumar and other accused in a case related to the Sultanpuri area incident during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, a family member of the victim says, "It is very wrong that the court has acquitted him. They have sprinkled salt… pic.twitter.com/it0jH2cNIN
— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023
Information
Thousands were killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots resulted in the deaths of around 3,000 Sikhs in Delhi, according to official figures. The riots broke out in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination when mobs reportedly led by Congress leaders targeted Sikhs in the national capital.
Hearing
Kumar was accused of instigating mob to kill Sikhs
On August 23, a Delhi court withdrew charges of murder and criminal conspiracy against Kumar. The court observed that Kumar wasn't present at the site of the killing. While Kumar was accused of killing three Sikhs, as many as six people died in the incident in Sultanpuri, The Indian Express reported. The witnesses had said that Kumar instigated a mob to kill Sikhs.
Details
Sentenced to life in another 1984 riots case
In 2018, the Delhi High Court sentenced Kumar to life imprisonment in another case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot. The court noted that Kumar and five others were involved in the murder of five Sikhs in Delhi Cantonment's Raj Nagar area. The other accused included former Congress councilor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal, and two others.