New Delhi, May 26 (HS):The Delhi High Court has issued notice to accused Sajjan Kumar in a petition challenging the trial court’s order acquitting him in the Janakpuri violence case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. A bench headed by Justice Pratibha M. Singh directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on September 29.

The petition has been filed by victim Manjit Singh of the Janakpuri Sikh riots case. Advocates Kamna Vohra, Gurbaksh Singh, and Surpreet Kaur appeared for the petitioner before the High Court. The petition challenges the January 22 order of the Rouse Avenue Court, which had acquitted Sajjan Kumar in the case.

During the proceedings before the Rouse Avenue Court, Sajjan Kumar had pleaded not guilty, stating that he “could not even dream of being involved in such an offence” and that there was not a single piece of evidence against him.

On August 23, 2023, the Rouse Avenue Court had framed charges against Sajjan Kumar. The court had ordered framing of charges under Sections 147, 148, 153A, 295, 149, 307, 308, 323, 325, 395, and 436 of the Indian Penal Code. However, it had dropped the charge of murder under Section 302 as invoked by the SIT.

Earlier, on December 17, 2018, the Delhi High Court had sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in another case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Following this, Sajjan Kumar surrendered before the Karkardooma Court on December 31, 2018.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar