A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the brutal killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The ruling, delivered on February 25, 2025, by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, marks a significant moment in a legal battle that has stretched over four decades. The horrific incident took place on November 1, 1984, in Raj Nagar, Delhi, when a violent mob, allegedly led by Kumar, attacked the Sikh family, burned the two victims alive, looted their home, and set it ablaze.
Sajjan Kumar, once a prominent political figure, has long been a controversial name tied to the 1984 riots, which erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. The violence that followed left thousands of Sikhs dead across India, with many accusing political leaders of orchestrating or enabling the bloodshed. In this case, the prosecution successfully argued that Kumar not only instigated the mob but actively participated in the attack that claimed the lives of Jaswant Singh and his son, while other family members narrowly escaped with severe injuries.
The case was originally filed by the victims’ wife and mother, who witnessed the atrocities. Though it was first registered at the Punjabi Bagh police station, a special investigation team later stepped in to dig deeper into the allegations. Kumar, already behind bars in Tihar Jail for another conviction related to the 1984 riots, now faces this additional life sentence. Earlier in February, on the 12th, the Delhi High Court had found him guilty, with sentencing arguments wrapping up shortly before today’s final verdict.
This ruling shines a spotlight on a dark chapter of history, offering a measure of justice to survivors who’ve waited decades for accountability. For many, it’s a bittersweet victory—closure for some, but a reminder of how long the road to justice has been. Kumar’s political career, once marked by influence and power, now stands overshadowed by his role in one of India’s most infamous tragedies.
