1984 Anti-Sikh riots: Delhi court frames charges against ex-Cong MP

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday framed charges against Congress leader and former MP Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the burning of a Gurudwara during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Calling him the “principal abettor”, the charges were framed by Special Judge MK Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including that of rioting, attempt to murder, dacoity (armed robbery), promoting enmity between religious groups on grounds of religion, race, etc., and causing hurt.

The court found sufficient oral and documentary evidence presented by the prosecution to support the contention that an unlawful assembly consisting of a large mob with weapons had gathered near a gurudwara in Delhi's Nawada area on November 1, 1984.

“Accused Sajjan Kumar was also a part of the said mob and the common object of the said mob was to put the above said Gurudwara on fire and to burn and loot the articles lying therein and also to burn and destroy the houses of Sikhs situated in the said locality, to damage, destroy or loot their articles or property and to kill the Sikhs residing in that locality, in order to avenge killing of the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi,” the judge said.

However, while Kumar was charged as a part of this mob, he was discharged of the charge of murder (under Section 302 of IPC) in a separate incident on November 2, 1984, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries outside the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar.

Regarding the November 1 incident, the court observed that Kumar had prima facie instigated other unidentified members of the mob to commit illegal acts, including burning down the gurdwara, damaging or looting articles, burning homes, and inflicting injuries on individuals.

With inputs from agencies