A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his direct involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, marking another chapter of pain and the pursuit of justice for the victims of one of India’s most notorious episodes of communal violence. Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Special Court delivered the verdict on February 12, linking Kumar to the gruesome murders of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, who were killed amid the chaos on November 1, 1984, as mobs ran rampant through Delhi.
The court found Kumar guilty of leading the violent mob responsible for the killings, which also included acts of looting and arson against the Sikh community. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) alleged Kumar incited his associates to attack the victims, who were burned alive as their home was set ablaze, with the horrific nature of their deaths drawing strong parallels to systemic injustices witnessed during communal riots.
According to prosecution details, Kumar’s actions and directives were indicative of organized violence following the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. This assassination was immediately followed by widespread riots against Sikhs, resulting from community retaliation against the militarized operation at the Golden Temple earlier the same year. Kumar, being one of the influential leaders at the time, positioned himself as not merely passive but as directly involved, encouraging and mobilizing others to engage in violent acts.
The Delhi District Court heard impassioned pleas from the community, reflecting on the scale of deprivation and terror faced by countless Sikh families during this dark period. The prosecution, led by Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat, sought the death penalty for Kumar, claiming the case exemplified “the rarest of rare” crimes where coordinated violence targeted entire communities. They argued, "Such actions violate the very fabric of our communal harmony."
Judge Baweja’s ruling remarked on the failure of police to act against the mob, emphasizing how their negligence compounded the tragedy faced by victims. For the families of those killed, especially the wife of Jaswant, who witnessed the brutal violence firsthand, justice seems to be a long road laden with challenges.
Despite Kumar's conviction, many community leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the life sentence. Sikh leader Gurlad Singh was particularly vocal, stating, "We will not accept anything less than the death penalty. We are not happy with the verdict of the court. We will appeal to the government to go to a higher court and announce the death penalty for Sajjan Kumar." This sentiment echoes the broader frustration among survivors and victim families who have waited decades for accountability.
The aftermath of the riots saw about 2,733 people lose their lives, as reported by various estimates, with authorities struggling to administer justice. The Nanavati Commission found rampant failures among law enforcement to protect innocent lives. Kumar has faced various cases linked to the riots over the decades, with the court's current verdict accounting for only part of his alleged involvement.
Kumar is currently serving another life sentence handed down by the Delhi High Court for separate incidents during the riots, where he was convicted for the killing of five other Sikhs. Despite the gravity of the crimes, Kumar’s substantial legal battles continue, including appeals against multiple acquittals and convictions. He has consistently maintained his innocence.
Following the sentencing, feedback from community representatives has portrayed the need for systemic changes to address police accountability and the judicial processes surrounding such high-profile cases of communal violence. Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee general secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon articulated disappointment over the sentence, saying, “If he had been sentenced to death, it would have been more just for all the suffering families involved.”
The issues raised during these trials not only speak to the individual cases of murder but also to the broader social fabric of India, where community tensions still resonate nearly four decades after the riot. The attempts to seek closure and accountability remain fraught with resistance from various institutional arms.
This case exemplifies the demand for justice concerning past atrocities and the urgency among victims’ families—an echoing reminder of the laws and mechanisms needing reform to preserve trust among diverse communities going forward. The national discourse surrounding these issues continues, reflecting the collective conscience of society still asking for restoration and reconciliation after decades of pain and loss.
The road to justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has been long and turbulent, yet it remains imperative for all layers of society to engage with past injustices to improve current laws and practices meant to protect vulnerable populations. Each ruling, as seen with Sajjan Kumar, adds to the continuing narrative of loss, resilience, and the need for accountable governance.