New Delhi

The acquittal of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court in two cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has reopened deep wounds for survivors and victims’ families, many of whom expressed anguish and vowed to continue their legal battle.

Outside the courtroom, scenes of grief and disbelief unfolded as family members of riot victims said the verdict denied them justice even after more than four decades. Several survivors demanded capital punishment for Kumar, holding him responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.

“I lost 10 members of my family. Why has Sajjan Kumar not been hanged? We will approach the Supreme Court,” one woman told ANI, breaking down after the verdict. Another family member, who lost 11 relatives, questioned the acquittal and said justice continued to elude them.

The victims’ families said they would challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court, reiterating their demand for the maximum penalty.

Meanwhile, Sajjan Kumar’s counsel Anil Kumar Sharma welcomed the verdict, stating that the prosecution had failed to establish any allegations against his client. He said Kumar’s presence at the alleged crime scenes was never proven and that no witness had named him for over three decades.

“The court has acquitted him as no allegations could be proved in the Janakpuri and Vikaspuri cases. He was targeted despite the absence of evidence,” Sharma said.

The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday acquitted Kumar in cases linked to Janakpuri and Vikaspuri police stations. The Janakpuri case relates to the killing of Sohan Singh and his son-in-law Avtar Singh on November 1, 1984, while the Vikaspuri case pertains to the burning of Gurcharan Singh on November 2, 1984.

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Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh passed the order in a case investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Centre. A detailed judgment is awaited. Sajjan Kumar had earlier been discharged of murder charges in August 2023.