1984 riots victims’ plea should not be heard: Sajjan Kumar
By IANSWednesday, January 6, 2010
NEW DELHI - Congress leader Sajjan Kumar Wednesday submitted before the Delhi High Court that the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case should not be heard and they do not have the right to file an appeal against him. His plea was turned down.
Sajjan Kumar made this submission through his counsel and senior advocate I.U. Khan and said: “There is no need to hear the victim’s side after the state (government) has filed the appeal against the order of the trial court as the state is the only custodian of law and it would create confusion if they are allowed to argue in the case.”
However, a division bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Suresh Kait turned down Kumar’s plea and said: “Let them argue. We would not be confused.”
The court was hearing a bunch of appeals against the acquittal of the Congress leader and others for allegedly leading a mob that killed 49 sikhs.
The court also asked the state government to file a compilation report of the case and slated the case for hearing Jan 16.
The appeals against Kumar were filed in 2003 challenging the trial court’s verdict acquitting Sajjan Kumar and former Congress legislator Jaikishan in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
Fourteen people were accused in the case. Three of them died during the trial. The case against Sajjan Kumar was instituted on a complaint by Anwar Kaur, who alleged a mob instigated by him killed her husband in Sultanpuri area of West Delhi, a day after then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated Oct 31, 1984.
Kaur, who has approached the High Court against Sajjan Kumar’s acquittal in the case, had alleged her husband Nevin Singh was killed by the mob Nov 1, 1984, in front of their house.
