1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: SC To Hear Sajjan Kumar’s Plea Against Punishment On Sep 24

Supreme Court of India

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing of appeals filed by former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and ex-councillor Balwan Khokhar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

The matter, listed before a bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, will now be taken up on September 24 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, expressed his inability to attend.

Long Legal Battle

The case stems from the horrific violence that swept Delhi following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Thousands of Sikhs were killed, with several cases dragging on for decades.

In 2018, the Delhi High Court sentenced Khokhar to life imprisonment and overturned the 2013 trial court acquittal of Sajjan Kumar, convicting him in the killings of five Sikhs in Palam’s Raj Nagar Part-I and the burning of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part-II on November 1–2, 1984.

Khokhar’s Plea For Relief

Khokhar has been pushing for reprieve, citing the length of time already served. According to his plea, he has spent over 8.7 years in custody. In September 2024, his request for furlough was rejected by jail authorities, who warned his release could trigger “adverse repercussions” and disturb public order. An earlier bail application was also dismissed in February 2023.

Court had in July 2024 sought the CBI’s response to his plea.

Four Decades On, No Closure Yet

The anti-Sikh riots remain one of the darkest chapters in India’s modern history. Nearly 40 years later, trials continue and survivors await closure. For many, each adjournment only reinforces how justice in these cases has moved at a painfully slow pace.

The next date of hearing—September 24—may determine whether Sajjan Kumar and Balwan Khokhar get any relief, or whether the convictions handed down by the Delhi High Court will stand firm.