A Delhi court sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The judge, Kaveri Baweja, announced the verdict regarding the killings that occurred on November 1, 1984. The prosecution had sought the death penalty, but the court opted for life imprisonment instead. Kumar, convicted on February 12, will undergo a psychological evaluation as mandated by the Supreme Court for cases facing capital punishment. A special investigation team later took over the case, which involved mob violence and arson against Sikhs.
New Delhi:
A Delhi court on Tuesday sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in connection with a murder case stemming from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Special judge Kaveri Baweja delivered the judgement for the alleged murders of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, which occurred on November 1, 1984.
The complainant, who is the wife of Jaswant, along with the prosecution, had requested the death penalty for Kumar.
The charge of murder carries a maximum sentence of death, while the minimum is life imprisonment.
On February 12, the court found Kumar guilty of the crime and requested a report from Tihar Central Jail regarding his psychiatric and psychological evaluation, following a Supreme Court directive for such assessments in cases involving capital punishment.
Kumar is currently incarcerated in Tihar jail.
Although the Punjabi Bagh Police Station initially registered the case, a special investigation team later took over the inquiry.
The prosecution argued that a large mob, armed with dangerous weapons, engaged in extensive looting, arson, and destruction of Sikh properties as revenge for the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The mob reportedly attacked the complainant’s home, killing the men, looting belongings, and setting the house on fire, according to the prosecution.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)