In a landmark ruling related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the former Congress leader, Sajjan Kumar, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court for the murders of Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, in the Saraswati Vihar area of Delhi. With decades of legal proceedings reaching their conclusion, this ruling represents a defining moment in the fight for justice for the victims of the riots.
A Brief Background
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards. From then onwards, the killing spree claimed the lives of thousands of Sikhs across the country, a major portion falling in Delhi itself. Among the massacred were Jaswant Singh and his son, Tarundeep Singh, both of whom were murdered.
Involvement of Sajjan Kumar
Sajjan Kumar, at the time a Member of Parliament from Outer Delhi, was accused of inciting and leading mobs that targeted the Sikh community. Witnesses testified that Kumar was directly involved in mobilizing and instigating the mob that attacked Jaswant Singh’s house on November 1, 1984. The attackers killed both Jaswant and Tarundeep while looting their house and setting it on fire.
Path to Justice
The path to justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots took a long and winding route. He was first acquitted of all charges in 2013 in a trial court. However, the Delhi High Court overturned this acquittal in December 2018, convicted Kumar of involvement in the riots, and sentenced him to life in prison. Kumar came to surrender and has been undergoing punishment since December 31, 2018.
In February 2025, another case into the murders of Jaswant and Tarundeep Singh found Kumar guilty. On March 22, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court convicted Kumar of murder, rioting, and several related offenses. The verdict was based mainly on the testimony of survivors, including the widow and daughter of Jaswant Singh, who recounted the grim happenings and said Kumar was the leader of the mob.
Sentencing and Stand of Prosecution
The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat, called for the death sentence. They characterized Kumar’s deed as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” on account of the significance of his activities. This was argued from the standpoint that because of his influential position, his actions should attract the maximum punishment. After thinking of all circumstances, the court eventually sentenced Kumar to life.
Defense’s Argument
Kumar’s lawyers appealed for leniency based on bitter considerations-mature age(79 years) and health complaints. They remarked that, on account of his old age and since he had finished his jail sentence, life punishment would be too harsh. The court, however, determined that the enormity of the crimes committed by Kumar warranted a harsh sentence.
Implications and Reactions
The verdict epitomizes a long-fought battle for victim justice and their families. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots are a very contentious and painful chapter in India’s history, causing many perpetrators to evade justice, enjoying political protection and systemic failures. The conviction and sentencing of a high-profile political figure like Sajjan Kumar could be the turning around for accountability and reconciliation.
The families of the victims and several other human rights organizations have hailed the judgment, saying they were hopeful that this would provide a real precedent for other riot cases pending to be classified. They stress how essential it is that the miscreants of such detestable acts stand trial, be they any rich political high-ups.
