The Supreme Court of India has agreed to take up the appeal of former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar against his conviction in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The hearing is scheduled for July, as per the apex court's order.
Background of the Case
Sajjan Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court in 2018 for his involvement in the murder of a Sikh man in Delhi's Saraswati Vihar area during the 1984 riots. The riots erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
Supreme Court's Decision
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha agreed to list the matter for hearing in July after senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, representing Kumar, mentioned the case for urgent listing. The court noted that the appeal has been pending for some time and needs to be heard.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued notice to the CBI on Kumar's appeal but had not stayed his conviction. Kumar has been out on bail since 2020 after spending nearly two years in jail.
Legal Proceedings
The case against Kumar was investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which filed a charge sheet. The trial court acquitted him in 2013, but the Delhi High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted him in 2018, calling the riots a "crime against humanity."
Kumar's appeal challenges the high court's verdict, arguing that the evidence against him was insufficient and that he was falsely implicated. The CBI, however, has opposed the appeal, stating that the conviction is based on strong evidence.
Significance of the Case
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots led to the deaths of thousands of Sikhs across India, with Delhi being one of the worst affected areas. Several cases were filed, but only a few resulted in convictions. Kumar's case is one of the most high-profile, given his political background.
The Supreme Court's decision to hear the appeal in July will be closely watched by human rights activists and the Sikh community, who have been demanding justice for the victims of the riots.
