Sajjan Kumar’s Statement in 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case

Former Congress MP Maintains Innocence

New Delhi: On Monday, a Delhi court recorded the statement of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar. This is related to a case from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The case involves violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri.

What Happened in Court

• The statement was recorded in the court of special judge Dig Vinay Singh.
• The next hearing is set for July 29.

Kumar’s Defense

Kumar, with his lawyers Anil Kumar Sharma, Anuj Sharma, and Apoorav Kumar Sharma, stated his innocence. He made two main points:

• “There is not an iota of evidence against me.”
• “I voluntarily took a lie detector test to prove my innocence.”

Kumar also said that no witness named him at first. He believes his name came up decades later. He calls the case against him false and politically motivated.

Background of the Case

In February 2015, an SIT registered two FIRs against Kumar. These were based on complaints of violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri during the anti-Sikh riots.

• In Janakpuri, two men—Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh—were killed on November 1, 1984.
• The second FIR involved Gurcharan Singh. He was allegedly set ablaze on November 2, 1984, in Vikaspuri. Gurcharan suffered severe burns and was bedridden for three decades.

Recent Legal Developments

In August 2023, a Delhi court dropped charges of murder and criminal conspiracy. However, Kumar was charged with other offenses, including:

• Rioting with deadly weapons
• Promoting enmity between different groups
• Attempting to commit culpable homicide

Kumar said he was not present at the scene. He argued that anyone could have taken his name as he was the MP. He accused the investigating agency of not conducting a fair investigation. He claimed the aim was to implicate him with fresh and unsubstantiated allegations.

Kumar’s Efforts for Harmony

Kumar mentioned that he organized blood donation camps and peace marches. These efforts were to bring harmony to the area. He reiterated his innocence and voluntary participation in a lie detector test.

Kumar is currently in Tihar Jail. The Delhi High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2018. This was in a case related to the killing of five Sikhs at Raj Nagar Part I in Palam Colony on November 1-2, 1984, and the burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part II.

On August 30 last year, a Delhi court ordered the framing of charges against Kumar. This was in a case related to the killing of three Sikhs during the riots near Pul Bangash Gurdwara.