Sajjan Kumar challenges HC order sentencing him to life imprisonment in 1984 anti-sikh riots case; SC seeks reply from CBI

Kumar is the first big politician to be convicted in the riots. In its judgment on December 17, the high court noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital, holding that the riots was indeed a "carnage of unbelievable proportions"

Former Congress Leader Sajjan Kumar (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Days after Delhi High Court sentenced Congress leader Sajjan Kumar to lifetime imprisonment after holding him guilty 1984-Anti Sikh riots, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court by the convicted leader, challenging the HC order. Kumar has been sentenced to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy to commit murder in 1984. The Supreme Court has now issued a notice to CBI and has sought a reply on Sajjan Kumar’s appeal. The court also posted the matter for hearing after six weeks. Kumar is the first big politician to be convicted in the riots. In its judgment on December 17, the high court noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital, holding that the riots was indeed a "carnage of unbelievable proportions" Kumar, 73, was brought to Mandoli jail in northeast Delhi shortly after he surrendered before Metropolitan Magistrate Aditi Garg, who directed that he be provided a separate van for commuting due to "security threat". Clad in a black coat and trousers, a cream coloured muffler and a blue cap, Kumar, a former Lok Sabha MP, was flanked by his lawyers and surrounded by scores of security personnel as he arrived at Karkardooma court at 2.15 pm. Calling it a "big relief" for the riots victims who have been fighting for justice for the past 34 years,  Shiromani Akali Dal member Manjinder Singh Sirsa said millions of people who have harboured the pain of 1984 in their hearts want to see "big fish" Sajjan Kumar surrender. This will be the beginning of justice and punishment for the main Congress leaders involved, he said.