Delhi Court To Deliver Verdict On 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case On January 21

The Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its decision in the case involving the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, specifically the murder of two Sikhs in Saraswati Vihar, Delhi. The court will announce its verdict on January 21. During the previous hearing, the judgment was postponed due to the need for further clarifications regarding the accused, former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.

The case revolves around the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, who were murdered during the violence on November 1, 1984. The court had reserved its decision after hearing arguments related to their deaths. In the last hearing, Sajjan Kumar’s defense lawyer argued that Kumar’s name was not initially linked to the case and only emerged after a 16-year delay. Furthermore, it was highlighted that Kumar’s conviction in the 1984 riots had been appealed to the Supreme Court.

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Senior advocate HS Phoolka, representing the victims, countered by referencing the Delhi High Court’s 2023 verdict in the Delhi Cantonment case, which labeled the riots as crimes against humanity. Phoolka emphasized that the purpose of such violence was to target the Sikh minority and argued that the delay in justice had been a significant issue. He noted that the Supreme Court had taken the delay seriously and ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.

On December 4, 2023, the Rouse Avenue Court directed that charges be framed against Sajjan Kumar in connection with the killings of Jaswant Singh and Tarundeep Singh. The attack on their home in Raj Nagar, West Delhi, took place in the late afternoon, around 4:30 PM when a violent mob armed with iron rods and sticks stormed the residence. According to the complainant, the mob was allegedly led by Sajjan Kumar, a Congress MP from Outer Delhi.

As the case continues to unfold, all eyes will be on January 21, when the court is expected to announce its final verdict, marking a critical moment in the long-delayed pursuit of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.