New Delhi, Jan 22: Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar has been acquitted by a Delhi court in a case rooted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The ruling, delivered by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh, addresses allegations of involvement in violence that broke out in West Delhi locations more than four decades ago.
The court had been deliberating on the matter since December, when the final arguments were closed. The SIT, which was formed to re-examine riot cases, filed two distinct FIRs in 2015. One focused on the Janakpuri incident where two individuals lost their lives, while the other concerned the Vikaspuri incident involving Gurcharan Singh, who was allegedly set on fire by a mob.
In his observation, the judge mentioned that the evidence provided did not sufficiently establish Kumar’s presence or direct involvement in the incidents. “The court finds that the charges brought against the accused have not been supported by the testimony provided,” the judge directly said during the proceedings.
The case remained a significant part of the SIT’s efforts to bring closure to the victims of the 1984 violence. Although the former MP was acquitted in this instance, he continues to serve a life sentence related to a separate conviction in the Raj Nagar riot case. The legal teams for the victims stated they would review the detailed order to determine the next steps in the judicial process.
