1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Delhi Court Acquits Sajjan Kumar in Janakpuri–Vikaspuri Cases

Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Court pronounced the acquittal in cases investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Central Government.

The first case related to the killing of two Sikh men, Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, who were allegedly murdered by a mob on November 1, 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Janakpuri police station. The second case, registered at the Vikaspuri police station, pertained to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984, during the widespread violence that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Sajjan Kumar was tried in these cases after an SIT, set up to reinvestigate select riot cases, filed a chargesheet alleging his involvement. However, he had already been discharged of murder charges in August 2023. The trial thereafter proceeded on charges under several other provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Earlier, while framing charges, the Special Court had taken a prima facie view that an unlawful assembly comprising hundreds of persons, armed with deadly weapons such as iron rods, dandas, bricks and stones, had gathered near a Gurudwara situated in Gulab Bagh, Nawada, on November 1, 1984. The Court had observed that the common object of the mob was to set the Gurudwara on fire, loot and destroy property belonging to Sikhs, and to target members of the Sikh community residing in the locality.

At that stage, the Court had noted that Sajjan Kumar was allegedly part of the mob and shared its common object. Charges were framed against him under various IPC provisions, including Sections 147 and 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 295 (defiling a place of worship), 307 and 308 (attempt to murder and culpable homicide), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 395 (dacoity), and 426 (mischief). In the alternative, charges of abetment under Sections 107, 109 and 114 IPC were also framed, with the Court observing that Kumar was allegedly present at the scene as a principal abettor.

However, with respect to the November 2, 1984 incident relating to the murder of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh near the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar, the court had discharged Sajjan Kumar of offences under Sections 302 (murder) and 325 (grievous hurt). The Court had held that the material on record was insufficient to proceed against him for those specific offences.

During the recording of his statement on July 7, Sajjan Kumar denied all allegations levelled against him. He told the Court that he was not present at the sites of violence and claimed that he had been falsely implicated in the cases.

Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat appeared on behalf of the prosecution. Sajjan Kumar was represented by advocate Anil Kumar Sharma, along with Apoorv Sharma and Senior Advocate S.A. Hashmi.