1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Rouse Avenue Court to Record Prosecution Evidence Against Sajjan Kumar

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday listed a case of anti-Sikh riots against former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for prosecution evidence related to charges of rioting and other offenses in connection with anti-Sikh riots. Notably, Sajjan Kumar was discharged from the murder charge in this matter.

This matter pertains to two riot cases that occurred in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas in 1984. Special judge (MP-MLA cases) MK Nagpal has listed the matter for prosecution evidence on October 12.

Sajjan Kumar was discharged on August 23, but the trial will proceed for other offenses, including rioting. The Janakpuri case involves the killing of two Sikhs, Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, on November 1, 1984. The second case, registered at Vikaspuri police station, is related to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984.

The court had framed charges against Sajjan Kumar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, attempting murder, and damaging places of worship. However, he was discharged from the offenses under sections 302 (murder) and 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the IPC.

Special Judge MK Nagpal while ordering the framing of charges stated that there is sufficient oral and documentary evidence to establish that an unlawful assembly or mob, armed with deadly weapons, gathered near a Gurudwara in Nawada on November 1, 1984. Sajjan Kumar was part of this mob, and its common purpose was to set the Gurudwara on fire, loot its contents, and harm the Sikhs living in the area as retaliation for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Hence, the court found a prima facie case against Sajjan Kumar for various offenses and directed charges to be framed accordingly. Additionally, an abetment charge was also directed to be framed against him for his involvement in the offenses committed by other unknown offenders during the incident on November 1, 1984.

However, Sajjan Kumar was discharged from the offenses related to the incident on November 2, 1984, where murders and injuries occurred outside the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar.