The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, turned down a plea of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, that it should not hear the contention of victim’s family who had filed a complaint against him for alleged involvement in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
The Congress leader made the submission before a bench hearing a bunch of appeals filed by CBI and others challenging his acquittal in a case of allegedly leading a mob that killed 49 Sikhs.
“There is no need to hear the victim’s side after the State 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,” senior advocate I.U. Khan, appearing for the leader said.
A bench comprising Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Suresh Kait, however, said there is nothing wrong in allowing the complainants to argue in the case.
“Let them argue. We would not be confused,” the bench said while posting the matter for further hearing on January 16.
The Court was hearing appeals filed in 2003 challenging the trial court’s verdict acquitting Sajjan Kumar and a former Congress M.L.A. Jaikishan in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.
Acquitting the Congress leader and 10 other co-accused, the trial court had said the investigating agency had “miserably” failed to prove the case against them.
Fourteen persons were accused in the case. Three of them died during the trial.
The case against Kumar was instituted on a complaint by one Anwar Kaur who alleged a mob instigated by him killed her husband in Sultanpuri area of West Delhi, a day after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984.
Kaur, who has approached the High Court against Kumar’s acquittal in the case, had alleged her husband Nevin Singh was killed by the mob on November 1, 1984, in front of their house. However, Kumar has denied all the charges against him.
