Politics

1984 anti-Sikh riots: Shiromani Akali Dal calls Delhi HC verdict historic

New Delhi | The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday while responding to the Delhi High Court’s conviction to Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots termed the verdict historic.

Addressing a press conference after the verdict, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal thanked PM Modi for accepting the request of SIT formation on 1984 riots. She said,” I want to thank PM Modi that on Shiromani Akali Dal’s request in 2015 he set up an SIT to probe 1984 massacre. It’s a historic judgement. Wheels of justice have finally moved.”

Speaking on the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, Badal said, “It is Sajjan Kumar today, it will be Jagdish Tytler tomorrow then Kamal Nath and eventually the Gandhi family.” Remembering the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s statement after the Riots, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader said,” ‘Khoon ka badla khoon, jab ek bada darakht girta hai to dharti hilti hi hai.’ When a PM says these words on national television…we were trying to protect ourselves&were saved by the almighty. Thousands of innocent were brutally killed before their families.”

Accusing the Congress party of supporting the culprits of anti-Sikh riots, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “Like in the case of Christian Michel where Congress lawyers were representing him, Congress party senior intervention is done only when some sort of Gandhis’ interest is there. Kapil Sibal’s son Amit Sibal is the main lawyer for Sajjan Kumar.”

The Delhi High Court on Monday has sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case and has asked Kumar to surrender by 31st December 2018. The High Court has reversed the judgement of the trial court which acquitted Kumar earlier. Along with Sajjan Kumar, Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former Congress councilor Balwan Khokhar have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Kishan Khokkar and former legislator Mahender Yadav have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Sajjan Kumar is convicted in the 1984 Anti Sikh riot which was ignited after the assassination of Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards. Around 2800 people belonging to the Sikh community were killed in India during the anti-Sikh riots. The Delhi High Court earlier on 14 August 2018 started hearing appeals filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and victims against Sajjan Kumar acquittal in the Anti Sikh Riots of 1984in Delhi.

 

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