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NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Delhi High Court Orders Retrial In 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Case
New Delhi: While dealing with five petitions connected to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots' case, initiated suo moto, the Delhi High Court on Monday highlighted lacunae in the investigation as well as in the conduct of the trial of three cases. The High Court has directed the trial court to reconstruct the records of three cases. "Efforts are required to be made on a best endeavour basis to secure such records from any sources to enable this court to finally adjudicate the present Criminal Revision Petitions," the High Court said. The trial court had acquitted all accused persons in 1986. These cases are connected with the anti sikh riots that took place in Raj Nagar area of Delhi Cantt in November 1984. These five cases came into light during an appeal of the CBI against the acquittal of former MP Sajjan Kumar in another case of Raj Nagar. The Division bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar highlighted, "Material on record further prima facie reveals several lacunae in the investigation as also the conduct of trials." "A prima facie reading of the Judgment passed by the Trial Court indicates that the Judgments are not well considered," the bench said in the judgment passed on August 11. The bench pointed out, "However, this court is not inclined to make any further comments on the tenability of the impugned Judgments at this juncture without having the benefit of perusing the records of the Sessions Cases." The High Court has directed the trial court to make efforts to construct the records of those cases. "Since the entire records are not available and without lacks vital documents, such as witnesses depositions, documents presented before the Learned Additional Sessions Judges and statements recorded under Section 161 of the CrPC, it would be impossible for this Court to proceed with further consideration of the present cases," the bench said. While dealing with these petitions, the High Court expressed its concerns for those killed 1984 violence. The High Court noted that several crucial witnesses were not examined. "Valuable lives were lost in the incidents which form the subject matter of the present cases. Several crucial witnesses, including eyewitnesses were not examined in Sessions Cases 31 and 32 of 1986 due to insufficient efforts to serve summons at addresses damaged or abandoned by witnesses in the aftermath of the incident," the bench noted in its judgements. The High Court also pointed a finger at the manner in which the investigation was carried out by the investigation agency. It also emphasised the need to look into the matters. It said, "A composite challan has been filed for several cases, prima facie reflecting a perfunctory investigation. Therefore, this court thinks that the matter cannot be left to rest at this juncture." "The valuable rights of victims and the society at large to a free and fair investigation as well as a real trial cannot be allowed to be compromised as a result of 'fait accompli" (an accomplished fact), the High Court said. It also said that it is inclined to follow the course as suggested by the top court in Abhai Raj Singh. It has directed the jurisdictional trial court for reconstruction of the records of Sessions Case 10 of 1986, Sessions Case 31 of 1986 86 and Sessions Case 32/86. The High Court said in the judgement that Several Commissions had been constituted to look into various aspects of the Sikh riots in 1984. The court also referred to the CBI probe into the murders of five Sikh persons, namely Kehar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Raghuvinder Singh, Narender Pal Singh and Kuldeep Singh, leading to the conviction of six accused persons named in that case. Appeals are pending before the Supreme Court in this case. The high court further said that it is hopeful that records of Sessions Case 10/86, Sessions Case 31/86 and Sessions Case 32/86 may be available with the CBI, having been taken into consideration by it during the course of investigation. The high court also said that the records of these three cases may also be available as part of the Trial Court Record in the said appeals, which may be available with the Registry of the top court, having been collected during investigation by the CBI. Such records may also be available in the archives of the various Committees and commissions appointed from time to time, the high court said. The high court has listed the matter for further hearing on September 1.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Sajjan Kumar claims innocence
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday recorded the statement of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, in cases linked to incidents of violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri. Kumar, who appeared physically before Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh, asserted that he was falsely implicated and maintained his innocence. He told the court that he had not been named by any witness at the time of the riots and that allegations against him surfaced only decades later. He also questioned the integrity of the probe. 'No proper investigation was carried out. The case is baseless and politically driven,' Kumar told the court, adding that during the period of unrest, he had organised peace marches and blood donation drives in the area to restore calm. He further told the Court that he had voluntarily undergone a polygraph test to prove his innocence. Following the statement, the court adjourned the matter for further proceedings on July 29. The two FIRs against Kumar were registered in February 2015 by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe cases related to the 1984 riots. The first case pertains to the killing of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh in Delhi's Janakpuri area on November 1, 1984, a day after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The second FIR involves Gurcharan Singh, who was allegedly set on fire by a mob in Vikaspuri on November 2, 1984. Kumar is facing trial in multiple cases linked to the large-scale violence that broke out following Gandhi's assassination, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed across the country. 2 FIRs against Kumar registered in February 2015 The two FIRs against Congress MP Sajjan Kumar were registered in February 2015 by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to probe cases related to the 1984 riots. The first case pertains to the killing of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh in Delhi's Janakpuri area on November 1, 1984, a day after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The second FIR involves Gurcharan Singh, who was allegedly set on fire by a mob in Vikaspuri on November 2, 1984. Kumar is facing trial in multiple cases linked to the large-scale violence.
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
1984 anti-Sikh riots: Sajjan Kumar denies allegations, says he was falsely implicated
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar denied the charges levelled against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots' case. He stated before a Rouse Avenue court that he was not present at the site of the riots and was falsely implicated. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh recorded the statement of Sajjan Kumar, who is an accused in the case. The court recorded his statement in a case lodged in Janak Puri and Vikas Puri and investigated by the SIT. The Janakpuri case pertains to the killing of two Sikhs, Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh, on November 1, 1984. And second case was registered at Vikaspuri police station related to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984. Advocate Anil Kumar Sharma, along with advocates Anuj Sharma and Apoorv Sharma, appeared for Sajjan Kumar. During the recording of his statement, Sajjan Kumar stated that allegations against him are false and he has been falsely implicated in this case. In response to a question that he was identified by a witness, Sajjan Kumar stated that he was not there. He also said that he was a Congress party member and was an MP. He was known to the public, anyone can take his name. His name came in this case for the first time in 2016. He was not named by anyone initially. He said that earlier, an un-trace report was filed. 'The allegations against me are politically motivated. The witnesses cited are levelling fresh allegations against me to establish the case,' Sajjan Kumar said. In his defence, Sajjan Kumar said that he also gave his consent for a lie detector test. He also organised a blood camp. It was further stated by Sajjan Kumar that he was granted anticipatory bail in the same case. 'I have been not assigned any role in relation to the same incident,' he added. The court had discharged Sajjan Kumar from the offence of murder on August 23, 2023. The Court had framed Charges against Sajjan Kumar under sections of IPC 147 (Punishment for rioting), 148 (Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (offence is committed by any member of unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common object of that assembly), 153 (promoting enmity between different groups), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class), 307 (attempt of murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 323 (deals with punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 395 (punishment for dacoity) and 426 (punishment for mischief) etc. Special Judge MK Nagpal while ordering framing of charges, stated, 'This court is of prima facie view that the oral and documentary evidence placed on record by prosecution is sufficient to hold that an unlawful assembly or mob consisting of hundreds of persons and armed with deadly weapons like dandas, iron rods, bricks and stones etc. had gathered near the Gurudwara situated in Gulab Bagh, Nawada on November 1, 1984.' Court had noted that the accused Sajjan Kumar was also a part of the said mob, and common object of the said mob was to put the above said Gurudwara on fire and to burn and loot the articles lying therein and also to burn and destroy the houses of Sikhs situated in the said locality, to damage, destroy or loot their articles or property and to kill the Sikhs residing in that locality, in order to avenge killing of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Hence, a prima facie case is held to be made out against the accused Sajjan Kumar for commission of the offences punishable under sections 147, 148, 149, 153A, 295, 307, 308, 323, 395, 436 IPC and charges are accordingly directed to be framed against him for the said offences. Further, in alternative, a charge for the offence of abetment defined by Section 107 IPC and made punishable by Section 109 read with 114 IPC in relation to the above said offences is also directed to be framed against the accused as the accused being principal abettor was present at the scene of crime, when the offences abetted by him were committed by the other unknown offenders. However, as far as the offences committed during the incident dated November 2, 1984 and which relate to the murder of Sohan Singh and Avtar Singh at the hands of members of the mob or crowd, which had gathered on that date near or outside the Congress party office in Uttam Nagar, and also the injuries suffered by complainant Harvinder Singh in the said incident, are concerned, the accused is being discharged for the offences Under section 302 and 325 IPC respectively committed in the said incident for the reasons already discussed in this order, court had said. (ANI)
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Court records statement of Sajjan Kumar in 1984 riots case
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday recorded the statement of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case related to violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri. The statement was recorded in the court of special judge Dig Vinay Singh. The court has listed the matter for hearing on July 29. Kumar, making his submissions through advocates Anil Kumar Sharma, Anuj Sharma and Apoorav Kumar Sharma, said that he was innocent. "There is not an iota of evidence against me," he said. "My lie detector test was conducted. I voluntarily participated to prove my innocence," he told the court. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Kumar said he was not named by any witness. However, decades later, his name came up. "The case against me is false and politically motivated," Kumar said. In Feb 2015, an SIT registered two FIRs against Kumar based on complaints of violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri during the anti-Sikh riots. In Janakpuri, two men — Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh — were killed on Nov 1, 1984. The second FIR was registered in the case of Gurcharan Singh, who was allegedly set ablaze on Nov 2, 1984, in Vikaspuri. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo According to the complaint, Gurcharan, who sustained severe burns, remained bedridden for three decades. In Aug 2023, a Delhi court dropped the charges of murder and criminal conspiracy in both cases but charged Kumar with other offences in the chargesheet, including rioting with deadly weapons, promoting enmity between different groups, and attempting to commit culpable homicide. Further submitting before the court that he was not present at the spot, Kumar said anyone could have taken his name as he was the MP. "The investigating agency did not conduct a fair investigation. The aim was to implicate by introducing fresh and unsubstantiated allegations," said the former MP. Mentioning that he organised blood donation camps and peace marches to bring harmony to the area, Kumar said: "My lie detector test was conducted. I voluntarily participated to prove my innocence." Kumar said if he was present there, there would be no confusion regarding his identity. At present, he is lodged in Tihar Jail after Delhi High Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2018 in a case related to the killing of five Sikhs at Raj Nagar Part I in Palam Colony on Nov 1-2, 1984, and the burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part II. On Aug 30 last year, a Delhi court ordered the framing of charges against Kumar in a case related to the killing of three Sikhs during the riots near Pul Bangash Gurdwara.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Top news of the day: Supreme Court to hear pleas challenging Special Intensive Revision in Bihar on July 10; Census data will be available early, says Registrar General of India, and more
Supreme Court to hear pleas challenging Special Intensive Revision in Bihar on July 10 The Supreme Court has scheduled an urgent hearing of petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar on Thursday (July 10, 2025). Almost 2.93 crore voters in Bihar must produce documents establishing the date and place of their own birth as well as of their parents in the case of those born after 1987, as an SIR of the State's electoral rolls began on June 28, 2025. Census data will be available early, residents can self-enumerate: Registrar General of India Census data will be available early as the ensuing Census will be the first digital Census in the country, Census India 2027, the official handle of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI and CCI) posted on X on Monday (July 7, 2025). The first digital Census and will be conducted in two phases and 'for the first time technology will be used to collect data and send it electronically to the central server' and 'this will result in early availability of Census data,' RGI said. Modi to have bilateral engagements with several world leaders The BRICS Leaders' Declaration, adopted at the summit in the Brazilian city on Sunday (July 6, 2025), reflected India's key concerns, especially on cross-border terrorism and global governance reforms. Noting that the Global South has often faced 'double standards', the Prime Minister called for a greater role for the developing world in international decision-making, speaking at the BRICS session on 'Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance'. Espionage case: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's judicial custody extended till July 21 A court in Hisar on Monday (July 7, 2025) extended by 14 days the judicial custody of social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, arrested last month on suspicion of espionage. The Hisar Police arrested Ms. Malhotra, who ran a YouTube channel 'Travel with JO', on May 16. Hailing From Hisar, the YouTuber was arrested at the New Aggarsain Extension and booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Kaliganj blast: Deceased girl's mother alleges Mamata not allowing police to conduct probe properly The mother of Tamanna Khatun, who was killed in a bomb explosion during an alleged violent celebration of the Kaliganj bypoll results on Monday (July 7, 2025), alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was not allowing the police to conduct a proper investigation into the death of her daughter. 1984 anti-Sikh riots: Court records Sajjan Kumar's statement A Delhi court on Monday (July 7, 2025) recorded the statement of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar over the violence in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri areas in the capital during the 1984 anti-sikh riots. Special judge Dig Vinay Singh recorded statement of Mr. Kumar, who said he was innocent as there was not an iota of evidence against him. Luggage packed, will move out of official residence: ex-CJI Chandrachud In the wake of the controversy over his stay at the official residence beyond permissible time, former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Monday (July 7, 2025) cleared the air, saying his luggage was packed and he, along with his wife and children, would soon move to a paid government accommodation. Peace time is nothing but 'illusion': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh 'Peace time is nothing but an 'illusion,' and India must remain prepared for uncertainty even during periods of relative calm,' Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said while hailing the armed forces for the valour they displayed during Operation Sindoor. In an address at an event, Mr. Singh said the performance of the indigenously built equipment and platforms in the operation increased the global demand for India-built military products. Pahalgam terror attack: NIA gets custody of two accused for 10 more days 'A special court in Jammu on Monday (July 7, 2025) granted the NIA 10 more days' remand of the two accused arrested for allegedly harbouring Pakistani terrorists involved in the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025,' officials said. Bangladesh tribunal to decide on charges against Sheikh Hasina on July 10 Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Monday (July 7, 2025) set July 10, 2025, to determine whether charges will be framed against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two of her top aides. Ms. Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun are accused in the case over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising last year. Kerala Governor fuelled Bharat Mata row, he must defuse it: Binoy Viswam The Kerala society 'will not accept' Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who 'studied in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-run school and became an ideological propagator of the organisation', Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary Binoy Viswam has said. Winning at Edgbaston will be one of my 'happiest memories' whenever I retire: Shubman Gill Leading India to their first-ever Test win over England at Edgbaston will remain one of his 'happiest memories' whenever the time comes to call it quits, said India captain Shubman Gill, revelling in the resounding series-levelling victory in Birmingham. For the 25-year-old whose captaincy stint began with India losing the series opener at Leeds, Gill underlined an all-round show from the team to make a strong comeback that was also the team's first win over the hosts in Edgbaston.
