A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who found Kumar guilty of the murders of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984.
Court Rejects Death Penalty Demand
The complainant, wife of Jaswant Singh, along with the prosecution, had sought the death penalty for Kumar. However, while the offence of murder carries a maximum punishment of death, the court opted for the minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
On February 12, the court had convicted Kumar and ordered Tihar Central Jail authorities to submit a psychiatric and psychological evaluation report, as per a Supreme Court directive in cases where the death penalty is considered.
SIT Investigation and Background of the Case
Kumar, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, was convicted for his role in the mob violence that erupted following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The prosecution argued that a large mob, armed with deadly weapons, carried out looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties in an act of revenge.
The mob attacked the house of the complainant, killed Jaswant Singh and Tarundeep Singh, looted valuables, and set their house on fire, according to the prosecution. While the Punjabi Bagh Police Station initially registered the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) later took over the probe.
Sources By Agencies