Anti-sikh riots case: A trial court had previously acquitted Sajjan Kumar in the case
Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was convicted in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case by the Delhi High Court. Reversing a lower court judgement that had acquitted him, the high court found Sajjan Kumar guilty of criminal conspiracy in the case and sentenced him to life imprisonment. "It is important to assure the victims that despite the challenges, truth will prevail and justice will be done," the Delhi High Court said in its judgement. Sajjan Kumar has until December 31 to surrender and has been directed not to leave the city. The victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots were represented by senior advocate HS Phoolka in this case.
At the time of the anti-Sikh riots, Sajjan Kumar was a parliamentarian. The court said that the criminals have enjoyed political patronage, and active steps were taken to protect Sajjan Kumar. The case
The trial court in 2013 had acquitted Sajjan Kumar in the case while convicted five others; giving life terms to former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal. Two others were sentenced to a 3-year jail term.
Here are the live updates on 1984 anti-Sikh riots case verdict:
Jagdish Kaur, whose family was a victim in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot, welcomed the verdict
"This verdict has brought some relief. No one should face the kind of injustice we have faced all these years," Jagdish Kaur said as she claimed that they faced threats and oppression in their long battle for justice
Sajjan Kumar will move Supreme Court against High Court order sentencing him to life, says his lawyer
Chronology of events in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case
October 31, 1984: The then PM Indira Gandhi shot dead by her two Sikh bodyguards at her residence.
November 1-2: Mob kills five Sikhs in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantonment.
May, 2000: Girish Thakorlal Nanavati Commission set up to probe riots related cases.
December 2002: Sessions court acquits Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in one of the cases.
October 24, 2005: CBI registers another case on recommendation of GT Nanavati Commission.
February 1, 2010: Trial court issues summons against Kumar, Balwan Khokkar, Mahender Yadav, Captain Bagmal, Girdhari Lal, Krishan Khokkar, late Maha Singh and Santosh Rani, named as accused.
May 24: Trial court frames charges of murder, dacoity, mischief to cause damage to property, promoting enmity between different communities, criminal conspiracy and other sections of the IPC against six accused.
April 30, 2013: Court acquits Sajjad Kumar. Balwan Khokhar, Lal, Bhagmal held guilty for offence of murder, Yadav, Krishan Khokhar convicted for offence of rioting.
May 9: Court awards life term to Khokhar, Bhagmal and Lal, and 3-year jail term to Yadav and Kishan Khokhar.
July 19: CBI files appeal in HC against acquittal of Kumar.
July 22: HC issues notice to Kumar on CBI's plea.
October 29, 2018: HC reserves verdict.
December 17: HC convicts and sentences Kumar to remainder of his life. It also upheld life term of Khokhar, Bhagmal and Lal. Sentence of Yadav and Kishan Khokar enhanced to 10 years in jail.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Calls Verdict "Moral Defeat" For Congress
"We demand capital punishment for Kumar and the other accused. The Congress government protected Kumar. I thank CBI officers who braved allurements of bribe and threats and kept on bringing accused to the book. I also thank kins of victims who fought against all odds and continued their struggle for justice," DSGMC president Manjit Singh said
"Rahul (Gandhi) made Kamal Nath chief minister. Kapil Sibal's son fought Kumar's case and still the Congress denies its role in anti-Sikh riots. Rahul and Sonia (Gandhi) should reply why the accused Kumar was saved for 34 years," Manjit Singh said
Harsimrat Kaur Badal on conviction of Sajjan Kumar
"I want to thank PM Modi that on Shiromnai Akali Dal's request in 2015 he set up an SIT to probe 1984 massacre"
Harsimrat Kaur Badal Says, Captain Amarinder Singh, Rahul Gandhi Have A Lot To Answer
Today, I am grateful to the court. All lawyers fighting against Sajjan Kumar are very talented. Justice has been served. Captain Amarinder Singh, Rahul Gandhi have lot to answer
Congress leader Sunil Jakhar on Sajjan Kumar: "No one is above law. Those involved in this crime should be given strictest punishment. Law has taken its own course. It'll strengthen people's trust in law. Any person who has been convicted in such cases should quit their political life"
Congress leader Kapil Sibal defends party says, "We denied him a ticket, he holds no office"
Arun Jaitley's Veiled Dig At Congress, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister-Designate Kamal Nath
"The irony is that this verdict comes on day when another leader who Sikh community believes is guilty, is being sworn-in as Chief Minster by the Congress"
Sajjan Kumar A Symbol Of 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Says Arun Jaitley
"Judgement of Delhi High Court is an extremely welcome development. For many of us who are witnesses, it was perhaps the worst kind of genocide that we ever saw. Congress govts in that period repeatedly indulged in coverup exercises.
The coverups are now being defeated. Sajjan Kumar was a symbol of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The legacy of 1984 anti-Sikh riots hangs around the neck of Congress and Gandhi family."
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav Thanks Home Ministry For Reopening "Cases Deliberately Suppressed" By Governments In The Past
Arun Jaitley also said: "Justice for the victims of 1984 was buried by the Congress - the NDA restored fairness and accountability."
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on anti-Sikh riots verdict
BJP IT-Cell Chief Credits PM For Sajjan Kumar's Conviction
Delhi Chief Minister On Anti-Sikh Riots Verdict"I welcome Delhi High Court verdict convicting Sajjan Kumar in 1984 riots case. It has been a very long n painful wait for innocent victims who were murdered by those in power. Nobody involved in any riot should be allowed to escape no matter how powerful the
individual maybe"