The Delhi High Court, on Monday, 17 December, reversed the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in relation to his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, sentencing the Congress MP to life imprisonment.
The court has asked Kumar to surrender by 31 December and extended the terms of other two convicts – former MLA Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar – from three years to 10 years. Besides Kumar, Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar have also been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has welcomed the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 riots case, terming it a case of justice finally delivered to the victims of one of the worst instances of communal violence in independent India.
‘Long and Painful Wait for Innocent Victims’
Politicians from across party lines reacted to Kumar’s conviction.
Commenting on the verdict, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “The Congress and the Gandhi family legacy will continue to pay for the sins of 1984 riots.”
Talking to News18, Arun Jaitley said that the first part of the “cover-up was that the truth mustn’t come out.” He also said that when civil liberties organisations came out with a report on the 1984 riots, it was banned by the-then Congress government.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spoke about the delay in ensuring justice and said, “Nobody involved in any riot should be allowed to escape.”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri too welcomed the judgment and said, “Wheels of justice grind slowly but surely.”
Taking a dig at the Congress, Puri added, “Extremely shameful that Congress party shielded these cold blooded murderers for years and has also been appointing them on positions of authority.”
Former Deputy Punjab Chief Minister Sukbir Singh Badal also targeted Congress and said that the grand old party’s “conspiracy to target and massacre Sikhs is being unearthed.”
Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal hailed the verdict and questioned Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for giving “clean chits” to the killers of Sikhs.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the verdict was a “jolt” to the party and demanded action against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath for alleged involvement in the riots.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that justice to victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was delayed but not denied.
Those Behind Gujarat Riots Should Also be Convicted: Sibal
Congress leaders said Kumar’s conviction should not be politicised and the law should take its own course.
Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “It should not be linked to the political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The law should take its course, there are appeals."
There have been verdicts in the past where people have been found guilty, while others have been absolved, he said.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said that Kumar does not hold a position of power in the party and was not given a ticket to fight the state Assembly elections.
“Yes, the conviction is correct but those behind Gujarat rioting should also be convicted. Sajjan Kumar was not given a ticket, he doesn’t hold an office. Whereas, those accused in rioting in Gujarat were given positions in the state.”Kapil Sibal, Congress leader
‘Will This Give Closure?’
The Sajjan Kumar conviction also sparked a debate among journalists, with many asking whether this decision would provide ‘closure’ and that ‘justice was delayed, but not denied.’
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)