Ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, Convicted in 1984 Riots, Dies at 80
Former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at the age of 80 on Thursday after being brought dead to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.
Kumar had been imprisoned since December 2018 following his conviction in cases connected to the violence that took place in Delhi following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. His legal proceedings spanned more than three decades across various courts, resulting in multiple trials, convictions, and acquittals.
In the Raj Nagar case, which involved the killing of five members of a family and the torching of a gurudwara, the Delhi High Court overturned a previous trial court acquittal on December 17, 2018. The High Court convicted Kumar and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He subsequently surrendered and remained in jail from December 2018 onwards.
On February 25, 2025, Kumar was awarded a second life term in connection with the Saraswati Vihar murder case. The case pertained to the killing of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh on November 1, 1984. Although a trial court had earlier acquitted him, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja handed down a life sentence, deciding against the death penalty in consideration of his age, medical ailments, and conduct during his time in prison.
Kumar was also tried in a case concerning violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri, which involved allegations of inciting the killings of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh, as well as the burning of Gurcharan Singh. A Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Kumar in that case on January 22. Later, on May 26, the Delhi High Court issued notice on an appeal filed against the acquittal.
During his time in custody, Kumar repeatedly filed petitions seeking bail and interim relief on medical grounds while continuing to serve his life sentence. His legal battles remained among the most prominent criminal proceedings arising from the 1984 violence in Delhi.
