1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court acquits ex-Congress MP Sajjan Kumar over ‘benefit of doubt’

In a recent verdict, a Delhi court has acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, citing the “benefit of doubt.”

Special Judge Geetanjli Goel also acquitted two other individuals, Ved Prakash Pial and Brahmanand Gupta, on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish charges of murder and rioting against them. The incident in question took place in Sultanpuri and involved the killing of a Sikh man named Surjit Singh.

“The accused Sajjan Kumar is given the benefit of doubt and acquitted for the offense,” declared the judge.

Sajjan Kumar had faced various charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which included promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, race, etc. (Section 153A), abetment of any offense (Section 109), murder (Section 302), and rioting (Section 147).

The 1984 anti-Sikh riots erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

Sajjan Kumar is currently serving time in Tihar jail after being convicted in another case related to the same riots.

(With PTI inputs)