1984 Anti-Sikh riots verdict: The pen was mighty but the hands were trembling

It was nothing like anything. The scenes that unfolded at the Karkardooma Court post 2:40 pm on 30th April 2013 were a bewildering reminder of how the unpredictable can surface when you least expect it.

The verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case where five people were killed near Delhi Cantt on the 1st and 2nd of November 1984 was to be pronounced at Court no. 2 of the trial court at 2 pm.

The verdict was postponed by an hour. The media had already reached; 3-4 correspondents per channel. Two reporters outside the court premises providing constant (live) information about the history of the case and what could be the course of future for Sajjan Kumar, if he would be convicted. And two other outside the court room, waiting, expecting the verdict. Every channel had their plans - grand plans - ready. A quick reaction by Sajjan Kumar, the perspective of lawyers from both sides and of course the victims who had been fighting for 29 long years now. Prime time shows had decided their focus. This undoubtedly was a big story. After all, there was a chance of it being the first time ever when a high-profile political leader would have been convicted in the 1984 riots case that left almost 3000 Sikhs dead.

At 2 pm the Delhi police cordoned off the court room holding thick ropes and barricading the entry. We were told this is for security reasons, the media will be allowed at 2:40 pm. We waited - anxiously discussing the probabilities and the impact the verdict may have on obvious individuals. At 2:40 pm we were stopped again - this time the ACP came and bartered for 5 more minutes before he would let us in, clearly this was not just a security requirement. After 5 minutes we lost our patience (our tribe has often been ridiculed for the same but this time I like to believe they asked for it) and moved towards the entry gate of court no. 2 - we were once again stopped for 'proper frisk checking'.

Then a senior police official whisked us aside barking out orders to 'give side' approached. Behind him was Sajjan Kumar, the prime accused. As soon as the man entered the doors of the court were shut on media. We yelled for our right to enter - slammed on the door that didn't open. Within a few minutes we heard loud noises from inside. Curiosity and the need to flash the big news first was killing us. The door swung open and a dazed Karnail Singh rushed out with one slipper on his feet - later we would find out that Karnail Singh had hurled a show towards the judge after he had pronounced what Singh thought was a biased judgement.

The police would detain and later arrest him.

The victim's lawyer HS Phoolka was next to come out but he didn't answer any questions He only stared at us blankly and pushed off. As we entered I saw Sajjan Kumar standing in one corner with tears in his eyes. He was quickly whisked away. The judge was nowhere to be seen. Only a completely shaken and almost shattered Jagdish Kaur and her son screaming and thumping the table. And then as I could gather my wits I found that the absolute unexpected had happened. Sajjan Kumar had been acquitted of all charges. He was from that moment a free man.

with thanks : IBN LIVE : LINK

Protest against Sajjan Kumar in Geeta colony in East Delhi

Vijay Goel joins protest against acquittal of Sajjan Kumar

protest march pm house

Protests every where !

Protest at Janter Manter in Delhi

Arvind Kejriwal at a protest meet against the 1984 riots in Delhi

Sh Vijay Goel addressing the protest meeting at Talkatora Stadium today, against the 1984 riots

It's an irony that Anti-Sikh riots took place in 1984 despite a Sikh being a president then and the culprits were left scott-free in 2013 despite a Sikh being a Prime Minister now. 

Justice Narula committee was formed by the then BJP government within days after taking office in December 1993. It was a BJP initiative that formed Nanavati Commision in May 2000 by the then PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was the congress and their leaders who were either directly involved in the Sikh killings or supported the killers. Still no senior congress leader has ever gone to Jail in last 29 years despite having witnesses and credible proof. 

Congress government has failed on all fronts including corruption, scams and non-governance. BJP had opposed the appointment of CBI director Ranjit Sinha even in 2012.

Justice has not only been delayed but justice has been denied to the Sikhs : Vijay Goel

BJP to organize massive rally on 4 May to expose misuse of CBI by the Congress 

New Delhi, 3rd May, 2013. Expressing his solidarity with the Sikh community in the Capital which has been venting its anguish over the last couple of days over acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Vijay Goel said, “I empathies with the community which feels betrayed as justice has not been delayed but justice has been denied to them.” 

Shri Goel said, “The Congress government over the years have never shown the will and intentions to take these long pending cases to the logical end. The anti-Sikh pogrom happened during Congress’ regime and it has failed to ensure that justice is delivered by bringing the guilty to the book.” 

Shri Goel said, it was the during the NDA regime that the Nanawati Commission was constituted to conduct an inquiry into the 1984 riots. The CBI had registered cases against Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in 2005 only on the recommendations of the Nanavati Commission. 

“No cases would not have been registered against those who led and participated the carnage against Sikhs in the Capital had the NDA government not ensured a speedy and effective inquiry,” he added. 

The CBI’s status as an independent agency is already under scanner as it is evident that it has been subjugated by its political masters to serve their purpose. It clearly appears that the CBI did not carry out its duty in action as well as spirit leading to acquittal of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar getting the “benefit of doubt” 

“It is strange that in the same case while the five co-accused have been convicted, Sajjan Kumar was acquitted. This further strengthens our belief that the CBI deliberately left loopholes in this case which resulted in this acquittal,” Shri Goel said. 

“The Delhi Police also played a dubious role and there were clear attempts to manipulate this case. Even the court has observed, “From the day one itself, Delhi Police has tried to shield the former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar from the grasp of law,” he added. 

The Delhi BJP opposes this travesty of justice and would not let this case and all such cases rest unless all the guilty are brought to the book. 

“Our party stands by the Sikh community and would continue with its fight to ensure that justice, though delayed by this time, is not denied to Sikhs in the Capital anymore,” Shri Goel said. 

Shri Goel announced, “It is clear that the CBI has now become ‘Compromised Bureau of Investigation’. In addition to delay in investigations and building up weak cases against Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar, it tried closure of cases against another Congress leader Jagdish Tytler though fortunately the Court has disallowed that. In the Coalgate scam also, it allowed tampering of investigation reports by the UPA government despite the apex court directives.” 

To expose the misuse of CBI in all such sensitive cases, the Delhi BJP is organizing a mass rally at Talkatora stadium in the Capital on 4 May. Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel, and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, senior BJP leader and Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha will address this rally.

Sajjan Kumar acquittal: Sikhs protest outside Sonia’s residence

Zee Media Bureau 

New Delhi: Angry over the acquittal of former MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, Sikh groups on Thursday protested outside Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence and the party office in the national capital. 

Burning effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sajjan Kumar, different Sikh groups gathered outside Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence. 

Protesters tried to break barricades put up by the Delhi Police in view of the planned protests. 

"Over a thousand protesters marched towards Sonia Gandhi's residence, breaking two barricades. But they were blocked by the policemen. Similar scenes were witnessed at 24, Akbar Road (the Congress office)," a senior police officer said. 

Akbar Road, Motilal Nehru Marg, Krishna Menon Marg, Mansingh Road, Maulana Azad Road and Janpath in New Delhi area have been closed due to the protests. 

On Wednesday, two Metro stations in West Delhi – Tilak Nagar and Subhash Nagar – were closed down after Sikh protesters stormed the facility and disrupted services. 

Sajjan Kumar was acquitted by a court in Delhi on Tuesday in one of the 1984 riots cases. Sikh groups had protested outside the court complex on Tuesday as well. One of the protesters had even thrown a shoe at the judge. 

with thanks : Zee News : LINK

Sikh group announces USD 1 mln reward for Sajjan's conviction

WASHINGTON: A US-based Sikh rights group has announced an award of USD 1 million to any individual, whose testimony and evidence may result in conviction of Sajjan Kumar, the senior Congress leader from Delhi. 

"The 'Million Dollar' reward will be given to those individuals who will come forward with tips, evidence and testimony leading to the reversal of Judge Aryan's April 30 order acquitting Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for role in the killing of Sikhs in November 1984," Sikh for Justice said in a statement. 

Justifying the reward attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, alleged that killing of Sikhs took place in broad day light while hundreds of citizens helplessly watched the systematic and gruesome killings of people in the first week of November 1984. 

"Now is the opportunity for those who witnessed the killings to come forward with testimony and evidence to help victims in seeking justice against those Congress leaders who organized violence against Sikhs," Pannun said. 

Since Judge Aryan gave " benefit of doubt" to Sajjan, Pannun said victims will challenge the acquittal of Kumar before Delhi High Court based on the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Devenderpal Singh Bhullar's case.

with thanks : Economic Times : LINK